Oreobolus pectinatus
Common name
comb sedge, cushion sedge, flat-leaved comb sedge
Synonyms
Oreobolus serrulatus Col.; Oreobolus pumilio var. pectinatus (Hook.f.) C.B.Clarke
Family
Cyperaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Sedges
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
OREPEC
Chromosome number
2n = c.40
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – an interim threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017 . 2018. Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley. Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Endemic. North Island, South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku.
Habitat
Coastal to alpine (up to 1500 m a.s.l.). Mostly alpine descending to sea level only in the southern South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Auckland Islands and Campbell Islands. A common species of cushion bogs and alpine seepages and mires and also favouring poorly drained open ground. Very rarely found growing in damp peaty ground under low subalpine scrub.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
OBL: Obligate Wetland
Almost always is a hydrophyte, rarely in uplands (non-wetlands).
Detailed description
Perennial sedge forming dense grey-green to green cushions 10–100 mm tall. Stems densely packed, much branched at base, leafy. Leaves dark green, green to grey-green, mostly distichous; lamina 0.5–1.0 mm wide, abaxial surface convex, median nerve and two lateral nerves visible at widest part of lamina, adaxial surface channelled, only the median nerve prominent, both surfaces with abundant stomata; sheath 5–7-nerved, not lobed at apex. Spikelets usually solitary; mature peduncle usually > leaves. Glumes usually 3–(4), usually light green with broad, colourless, membranous margins, the outermost longer, leaf-like, the two inner more or less equal, membranous, the occasional fourth glume, smaller. Hypogynous scales < nut, lanceolate, initially colourless, maturing red-brown to almost black. Nut slightly > 1 mm long, < 1 mm diameter, light brown or often dark brown with a triangular, pubescent depression at apex.
Similar taxa
Distinguished from the other endemic species Oreobolus impar Edgar and O. strictus Bergg. by the leaves which are mostly distichous; by the median nerve and 2 lateral nerves visible on the lower surface at the widest part of the leaf; and by the usually light green glumes.
Flowering
October–December
Fruiting
November–April
Propagation technique
Easily grown from rooted pieces and probably from fresh seed. However, this species is best grown in a cooler climate or kept in a pot within an alpine house. it is very slow growing.
Etymology
oreobolus: Mountain clump
pectinatus: Like a comb
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
Attribution
Description adapted from Moore and Edgar (1970).
References and further reading
Moore LB, Edgar E. 1970. Flora of New Zealand, Volume II. Indigenous Tracheophyta: Monocotyledones except Gramineae. Government Printer, Wellington, NZ. 354 p.