Combsedge

Oreobolus pectinatus is a perennial sedge which forms dense cushions growing from 10 to 100 mm high. The stems are densely packed, much branched at base, leafy. Median nerve and two lateral nerves of the leaves are visible at widest part of lamina, while on the adaxial only the median nerve is prominent. Both surfaces of the lamina have abundant stomata. The sheath is not lobed at the apex and has 5 to 7 nerves. The spikelets are usually solitary and the mature peduncle is usually longer than the leaves. There are usually 3 glumes (sometimes 4), with the occasional fourth glume being smaller. The fruit, a nut, is initially colourless, but matures to a red-brown, almost black color. It is greater than 1 mm long and less than 1 mm diameter. It flowers from October to December, and fruits from November to April.

The plant is found on New Zealand's Antipodean Islands, and the North and South Islands of New Zealand.