Aphelia gracilis Sond. APNI*
Description: Annual herb 2–5 cm high.
Leaves filiform, 1–2.5 cm long, lax, acute, glabrous.
Scapes 1.5–5 cm long, glabrous; spike ovate, 3–4 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, turned to one side; lowermost bract erect, 3–4 mm long, acuminate, tip 1–2 mm long and linear, glabrous to papillose, enclosing 1 or 2 male and often 1 female flower; upper bracts 5–10, obtuse, 0.8–1.5 mm long, pilose, rounded on the dorsal surface, 3-veined, with broad ± ciliolate hyaline margins extending to apex, initially imbricate but separating and ultimately falling; female flowers lacking secondary bracts.
Seeds pale brown, 0.7 mm long.
Flowering: October–November
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in temporarily wet ground, especially margins of creeks and swamps; recorded from the Holbrook-Hume district.
NSW subdivisions: SWS
Other Australian states: Vic. Tas. ?W.A. S.A.
Text by E. A. Brown Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
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