Carex inversa

The monoecious and rhizomatous perennial grass-like sedge has a tufted habit and typically grows to a height of 0.3 to 0.75 metres (1 to 2 ft). It blooms between September and October producing brown flowers.[1] The plant has a reasonably long rhizome with shoots that are loosely tufted. The smooth and erect culms have a circular cross-section and are usually 10 to 50 cm (3.9 to 19.7 in) in length. The length of the leaves is usually less than that of the culms and have a blade with a width of 0.7 to 2 mm (0.028 to 0.079 in) and are surrounded by dark brown coloured sheaths.[3]

The species was described by Robert Brown in 1810 as a part of the work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen[2] from specimens collected from his time in Australia between 1801 and 1806. There are ten synonyms for this species including; Carex inversa var. leichardtii, Carex inversa var. major, Carex inversa var. minor, Carex rhytidocarpa and Vignea inversa.[2]

It is native to parts of Australia, and is often found in winter wet depressions and along creek and rivers throughout a large area through the Wheatbelt, Peel, South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia where it grows in sandy-clay-loam soils.[1] It is also found in south eastern parts of South Australia and southern and eastern parts of Australia extending north into coastal areas of New South Wales and Queensland.[4] The grass also occurs on Norfolk Island.[5] The plant is also commonly found in New Zealand and is regarded as non endemic.[6]

• List of Carex species