2. C. vegetus, Willd. Sp. Plant. i. 283.—Roots fibrous. Stems 1–2 ft. high, rather stout, smooth, sharply 3-angled above. Leaves shorter than the stem, rather flaccid, ⅙–⅓ in. broad; margins smooth. Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel varying from 1½ to 6 in. diam.; rays 5–9, unequal, each terminated by a dense globose umbellule; bracts about 6, similar to the leaves, long and spreading, the lowest in large specimens sometimes 18 in. long. Spikelets very numerous, pale yellowish-green, much compressed, ⅓–¾ in. long, 12–40-flowered. Glumes distichous, boat-shaped, ovate, apiculate, 3-nerved, margins membranous. Stamen 1. Nut about ⅔ the length of the glume, obovoidtriquetrous, shortly rostrate. Style-branches 3, linear.—C. gracilis, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. iii. (1871) 210 (not of R. Br.). C. Buchanani, Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) App. xli.
North Island: Auckland—Oruru and Oruaiti Valleys, near Mongonui, T.F.C. Wellington—Lower Hutt, Waiwetu, Wainuiomata, Greytown, Buchanan! Kirk! November–January.
The true home of this plant, as has been pointed out by Mr. C. B. Clarke (Journ. Bot. 1897, 71) is in temperate South America, and there can be no doubt that it exists only as an introduced species in New Zealand, as also in many localises in southern Europe, the Azores, Korth America, Tahiti, &c. I retain it in the Flora because it has been twice described as an indigenous species, and on account of the remarkable fact that wherever found it presents all the appearance of a true native, and would certainly be taken as such by any one unacquainted with its origin.
3. MARISCUS, Gaertn.
Stems erect, simple below the inflorescence, leafy at the base Inflorescence of the same forms as in Gyperus. Spikelets oblong or linear, compressed; rhachilla disarticulating above the two lowest empty glumes, and falling away in one piece, leaving a terminal rounded boss or knob. All other characters as in Cyperus.
Species about 180, found in all tropical and subtropical regions, but not extending into Europe. The single New Zealand species is endemic.
1. M. ustulatus, [Author:Charles Baron Clarke|C. B. Clarke]], MS.—Very robust, 2–4 ft. high. Stems smooth, striate, trigonous, ¼ in. diam. Leaves crowded at the base of the stem, long, keeled, coriaceous, spongy towards the base, ⅓–1 in. broad; margins and keel sharply and minutely serrulate. Inflorescence a large terminal umbel often more than 6 in. diam.; rays 6–10, each bearing an oblong spike 1–2 in. long of very numerous red-brown spikelets; bracts numerous, forming an involucre at the base of the umbel, very long and leafy, the lowest frequently over 2 ft. Spikelets linear-lanceolate, ⅓–1 in. long, 5–20-flowered. Glumes distichous, ovate-oblong, obtuse or mucronate, smooth and shining, grooved. Stamens 3. Nut linear-oblong, trigonous; style-branches 3.—Cyperus ustulatus, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 101, t. 17; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 270; Raoul, Choix, 40; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 268; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 297.
