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Synonyms: Scirpus validus Vahl APNI*

Description: Tall, rhizomatous perennial. Culms terete, bluish green, (60-)100–200 cm high, 3–10 mm diam.

Leaves reduced; rarely blade to 10 cm long.

Inflorescence umbel-like, with branches 1–8 cm long, scabrous, with 1–4 spikelets per branch; involucral bract much shorter than inflorescence, 2–5 cm long. Spikelets oblong-ovoid, acute, 5–11 mm long, 4–5 mm diam. Glumes retuse, very shortly mucronate, with ciliate margins, red-brown, 3–4 mm long. Hypogynous bristles 6 (rarely fewer), retrorsely scabrous, slightly longer than or equalling nut. Style 2- (or 3-)fid.

Nut obovoid, plano-convex, smooth, shining, grey-brown to dark brown, 2–2.5 mm long, 1.2–1.5 mm diam.

Habitat Photo Karen L Wilson

Habit Photo Karen L Wilson

Flower Photo Karen L Wilson

Flowering: spring–summer.

Distribution and occurrence: Widespread but scattered. Also in all other States; New Caledonia, Vanuatu & countries bordering the Pacific.

Grows along creeks, lakes and open swamps (in fresh and brackish water).
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, CWS, SWS, NWP, SWP, NFWP, SFWP
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. W.A. S.A.

AVH map***

Included in a broad concept of S. tabernaemontani (C. C. Gmelin) Palla by some botanists but further study is needed. It differs in features such as the smaller, paler and less hairy glumes from typical S. tabernaemontani. It differs from S. subulatus most obviusly in the culm colour and cross-sectional shape and the form of the hypogynous bristles. It differs from the introduced S. californicus in culm colour and cross-sectional shape and in being generally less robust (see key for other differences).