The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Uncinia viridis

Etymology

Uncinia: From the Latin uncus 'hook', meaning hooked or barbed
viridis: From the Latin viridis 'green'

Common Name(s)

Green Bastard Grass, Bastard Grass, Hook Sedge

Current Conservation Status

2012 - At Risk - Naturally Uncommon

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2009 - At Risk - Naturally Uncommon
2004 - Sparse

Qualifiers

2012 - DP, Sp

Authority

Uncinia viridis (C.B.Clarke) Edgar

Family

Cyperaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

UNCVIR

Structural Class

Sedges

Synonyms

Uncinia caespitosa Boott var. viridis (C.B.Clarke) Hamlin; Uncinia compacta R.Br. var. viridis C.B.Clarke

Distribution

Endemic. North, South and Stewart islands. In the North Island found mainly in and around the Central Volcanic Plateau and the adjoining main axial mountain ranges. In the South Island more widespread from Nelson to Otago and probably Southland. Said to be common on Stewart Island.

Habitat

Montane to alpine in wet hollows within tussock grassland and herbfield. Never common.

Features

Openly caespitose to shortly rhizomatous bright green sedge. Culms 20-250 mm long, usually < 1 mm diameter, glabrous; basal bracts dull yellow-brown to dark brown. Leaves 7-8 per culm, equal to or less than culms, 1.5-2 mm wide, channelled, somewhat rigid, curving downwards, coriaceous, bright green, glossy, scabrid on margins and undersides. spikes 15-50 x 3-4 mm, sometimes bracteate, female flowers 5-15, close-set, internodes 1-2 mm. Glumes > utricles, deciduous, ovate, subacute to acuminate, pale brown-green to light brown, membranous. Utricles 4.5-5 x 1.5 mm, trigonous, ovate, green to grey-brown, rather dull, smooth aside from prominent lateral nerves, slightly pinched below a 1 mm long stipe, and tapered above to a 1.5 mm long beak.

Similar Taxa

Rather similar to Uncinia divaricata Boott in Hook.f. from which it is well marked by its bright green rather than yellow-green to brown-green foliage and culms. It also differs by its fewer flowered spikelets. Plants could be confused with U. caespitosa Boott in Hook.f. but that species has longer culms,broader dark green leaves and spikes with 10-40 flowers (5-15 in U. viridis). The utricles of U. caespitosa are 5-7 rather than 4.5-5 mm long and wider (1.5-2 cf. c.1.5 mm).

Flowering

October - December

Fruiting

October - June

Propagation Technique

Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of established plants. Prefers a damp spot in full sun. Dislikes excessive humidity and will not tolerant prolonged drought.

Threats

A naturally uncommon, biologically sparse species occurring in widely scattered, sometimes quite extensive populations.

Chromosome No.

2n = 88

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 19 May 2014