Luzula densiflora subsp. densiflora APNI* Description: Small perennial with scattered, often few-leaved, but rather robust tufts, ± bulbous at base.
Leaves 1.5–4.0 (rarely to 5.0) mm wide, flat, rather stiff; margins densely hairy or rarely sparsely so; apex obtuse.
Culms 11–50 cm long, 0.3–1.4 mm diam., much exceeding leaves, usually with 1 or 2 very broad cauline leaves. Inflorescence of several ovoid clusters c. 5 (occasionally 10) mm diam., central cluster sessile, other clusters on peduncles to 4 cm long, or sometimes reduced to a single head. Leafy bracts 1 or 2; apex subulate to acute or obtuse. Flowers 1.6–2.5 (rarely to 3.0) mm long. Outer tepals acuminate, inner acute, pale red-brown with ± broad creamy or hyaline margins. Anthers 0.3–0.7 mm long.
Capsule equalling or slightly shorter than tepals, red-brown above, yellow-brown below, rarely red-brown throughout, smooth or papillose at apex; seeds c. 1 mm long; caruncle about a third the length of seed.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in moist rather shady sites, often on clay, in eucalypt woodland or open grassland; south from CT.
NSW subdivisions: CT, ST, SWS, CWS
Other Australian states: Vic. Tas.
A variable species, most noticeably in the density of hairs on the leaf margins - may include more than one taxon but needs further study.
Text by E. Edgar & K. L. Wilson (1993); edited KL Wilson (June 2010)
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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