Flowering stem. Photo: Russell Best, Wyperfeld National Park, Vic

Flowering stem. Photo: Chris Lindorff, Ned's Corner Station, Lake Cullulleraine, Vic.

Common Name

Spiny Sedge, Spiny Flat -sedge

Family

Cyperaceae

Notes

Perennial sedge to 70cm tall.  Leaves at the base of the plant, reduced to membranous sheaths at the base of the flower stems except in juvenile plants.  Spikelets 3-6mm long, 2-3mm wide, reddish brown or pale brown, with 0 petals, arranged in globular heads often with 1-6 subsidiary clusters, subtended by 2-6 rigid narrow green bracts with margins curved inwards, and sharp-pointed, often spiny, tips. Grows near water.

Description and photo in G.M. Cunningham, WE Mulham, PL Milthorpe and J H Leigh (1981 and later printings) Plants of Western New South Wales page 161

PlantNET description with line drawings:  http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Cyperus~gymnocaulos