Schoenus concinnus
Synonyms
Schoenus nitens var. concinnus (Hook.f.) Cheeseman; S. moorei Kirk
Family
Cyperaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Sedges
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
SCHCON
Chromosome number
2n = c.68
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Indigenous. North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Present also in Australia.
Schoenus concinnus has a peculiar distribution. In the North Island, it has been found amongst sand dunes on the Karikari Peninsula and near Whatipu and then is mainly known from the central ranges and Mt Egmont. In the South Island it is widespread in coastal or alpine situations. On the Chatham Islands it is strictly coastal.
Habitat
Coastal to alpine (up to 1200 m a.s.l.). In permanently damp, usually exposed and sunny situations. Often in coastal or alpine turf or along the margins of tidal streams, inland rivers, ponds and lakes.
Features
Rhizomatous, tufted seed. Rhizomes lignaceous, up to 1.5 mm diameter, loosely covered by large, membranous, overlapping scales. Culms 10-250 mm long, less than 0.5 mm diameter, bright green to dark green, wiry, erect, striated, unbranched, densely tufted or widely spaced along rhizome. Leaves greater than, equal to or less than culms, upper leaves alternate, rigidly setaceous, semi-terete, margins rarely scabrid towards leaf apex; basal leaves reduced to red-purple, grooved, mucronate sheaths. Inflorescence terminal, capitate with crowded sessile spikelets, subtending bract greater than inflorescence. Spikelets 1(-3), 3.5-7.0 mm long, 2-3-flowered. Glumes 5-7, dark brown to almost black with green median nerve, 2-3 lowest smaller, empty. Hypogynous bristles 6, usually > nut, yellow-brown and scabrid towards the apex, often branched and basally plumose with long white hairs. Stamens 3. Style Branches 3. Nut ovoid to elliptical-oblong, 1.5-2.0 mm long, yellow-brown, smooth, glossy, surface cells minute (appearing as dimples), angles scarcely thickened.
Similar taxa
Schoenus concinnus has been treated as a variety of S. nitens (R.Br.) Hook.f. Both species are superficially similar. Schoenus nitens differs by its broader culms, less densely tufted growth habit, taller stature, inflorescences of 2-many spikelets, obtuse rather than subacute bright chestnut-brown rather than dark brown to almost black glumes, and grey-brown to red-brown rather than yellow-brown, smaller nut (1.5 mm cf. 1.5-2.0 mm long). Both Schoenus nitens and S. concinnus differ from the other rush-like species by having well developed leaves.
Flowering
October - January
Fruiting
December - May
Propagation technique
Easily grown from the division of whole plants and from fresh seed. An attractive sedge that looks great in pots that are kept partially submerged and placed in the full sun.
Etymology
schoenus: Rush
concinnus: Charming, elegant
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (8 September 2006). Description adapted from Moore & Edgar (1970)
References and further reading
Moore, L.B.; Edgar, E. 1970: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. II. Government Printer, Wellington.