Creeping Flat-sedge - a native (Cyperus lhotskyanus)

Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family).

Native of south-eastern Australia.

Occurrence: beside streams etc.

Identification:

• the stems are triangular or round in cross section
• it usually grows to about a half a metre
• the flowers are numerous, and clustered into dense heads; the flower clusters are much smaller than similar flat-sedges
• the flowers contain numerous (six to twelve) brown scales (glumes)
• the flowers radiate so that the flower clusters have a starry appearance
• three or four long leaves (bracts) radiate from the base of the flowers and are about twice the size of the flower clusters
• the leaves at the base are as long or shorter than the flowering stalks.

Photos 1: Pressed specimen of Cyperus lhotskyanus, Redesdale.
2: Flowers (enlargement of photo 1).