Machaerina rubiginosa
(Spreng.) T.KoyamaPerennial with short stout rhizome. Culms rigid, terete to biconvex, 1–2-noded, rarely nodeless, striate, glabrous, smooth, 20–110 cm high, 1–5 mm diam. Leaves basal and cauline; basal blades flattened at least near apex, often sub-terete below, usually broader than and often exceeding culms, 1.5–7 mm wide; cauline blades much reduced; sheath straw-coloured, rarely with reddish tinges, dull. Inflorescence interrupted-oblong in outline, narrow, erect, with dense clusters, mostly 7–35 cm long, 1–2.5 cm diam.; lowest involucral bract much shorter than inflorescence. Spikelets 2–3-flowered, 4–7 mm long; glumes 5, acute to long-acute, red-brown, margins ciliate; fertile glumes 3.7–6 mm long. Nut ellipsoid to obovoid, smooth, with hispid apex, shining, pale red-brown to bright orange, 2.2–4 mm long, 1.2–2.0 mm diam. Flowers spring–summer.
LoM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, MonT, VAlp. All States. New Zealand, Malesia, New Caledonia. In swamps and other damp areas, on sandy soils, usually amongst heathy vegetation.
All records at MEL of this species from western Victoria are based on misidentified material of the very similar M. arthrophylla (see notes under that species). The apparent absence of M. rubiginosa from the west of the state is surprising given its occurrence in SA and WA, and may be an artefact of patchy collecting.
Wilson, K.L. (1994). Cyperaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 238–356. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
