Carex horizontalis
| Carex horizontalis | |
|---|---|
| C. horizontalis in Wellington | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Carex |
| Species: | C. horizontalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Carex horizontalis (Colenso) K.A.Ford
| |
Carex horizontalis, known as bastard grass,[2] hook sedge,[3] or matua in te reo Māori is a species of sedge, endemic to New Zealand.[3][2] It is not a grass but a sedge.
Description
This species forms thick, dense tufts. The culms are from 10–40 cm, droop, and are hairless. There are 4-7 leaves per culm, and they are bright green, wide, soft, and channeled.[2][4]
C. horizontalis is distinguished from the very similar Carex minor by its dense, tufted growths, its slightly larger (1.5–2 mm wide) leaves, and its later flowering from October to November.[2]
Range and habitat
This species is found on the North Island, South Island, and in the Chatham Islands. It is found in forested areas, and at elevation from 300–1000 m above sea level in the North Island.[2]
Ecology
This species is one of many other species in Carex, which are collectively known for having hooked rachillae. This allows the spikelets to get caught on fur or feathers from animals, allowing them to hitch a ride on a moving creature in order to spread geographically.[5]
Etymology
The name "bastard grass" may come from the hooked rachillae, which are annoying and difficult to remove from clothing, hair, or skin.[6]
Taxonomy
This species has in the past been put into the genus Uncinia.[2][4]
References
- ^ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Carex horizontalis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ a b "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Carex horizontalis". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ García-Moro, Pablo; Otero, Ana; Benítez-Benítez, Carmen; Costa, Lucas; Martín-Bravo, Santiago; Naczi, Robert F.C.; Reznicek, Anton A.; Roalson, Eric H.; Starr, Julian R.; Jiménez-Mejías, Pedro (23 February 2022). "Biogeography and systematics of Carex subgenus Uncinia (Cyperaceae): A unique radiation for the genus Carex in the Southern Hemisphere". Taxon. 71 (3): 587–607. Bibcode:2022Taxon..71..587G. doi:10.1002/tax.12678. hdl:2027.42/173032. ISSN 0040-0262.
- ^ "Bush Bastards - New Zealand - Mark Moxon's Travel Writing". www.moxon.net. Retrieved 13 October 2025.