Carex albula

Carex albula, common name white sedge, is a species of sedge (in the Cyperaceae family). It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.[4]

Carex albula
Lectotype: AM AK2739-1

Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Carex
Species:
C. albula
Binomial name
Carex albula
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[4]

Carex comans var stricta Cheeseman

According to Plants of the World online, it has no synonyms.[5] However the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network lists Carex comans var stricta Cheeseman as a synonym.[4]

Description

It is a densely tufted sedge growing from 250 to 350 mm tall, and may be buff-coloured, an almost bleached white, or green or red. The culms are smooth and 50-200 mm by 0.5 mm, often having a deep groove. The leaves are numerous and the basal sheaths are dark brown to purple-red. The terminal spike is male with the other spikes being female.[4]

It flowers from October to December and fruits from October to September[4] and the nuts are dispersed by granivory and wind.[6]

Distribution & habitat

It is found in the South Island from the Mackenzie Basin, to Waitaki and Central Otago, on alluvial terraces, and slopes and on river flats.[4]

Conservation status

The IUCN Redlist declared its conservation status to be of "least concern" (LC).[7] However, assessments under the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS), declared it to be "At Risk – Declining" (Dec) in 2013, and in 2017 to be "Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable" (NV).[1]

References
  1. de Lange, P.J. et al."Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017" (PDF). 2017. p. 9.
  2. "NZOR Name Details - Carex albula Allan". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  3. Allan, H.H.B. (1947) Notes on New Zealand Floristic Botany. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 76: 589
  4. "Carex albula | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  5. "Carex albula Allan | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  6. Thorsen, M.J.; Dickinson, K.J.M.; Seddon, P.J. (2009). "Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora". Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 11 (4): 285–309. doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2009.06.001. ISSN 1433-8319.
  7. Romand-Monnier, F. (2013). "Carex albula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T44393051A44470730". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T44393051A44470730.en.


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