Machaerina insularis is a flowering plant in the sedge family. The specific epithet is the Latin insularis (growing on an island), alluding to its island home.[1]

Machaerina insularis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Machaerina
Species:
M. insularis
Binomial name
Machaerina insularis
(Benth.) T.Koyama (1956)[1]
Synonyms[citation needed]
  • Cladium insulare Benth. (1878)
  • Gahnia insularis (Benth.) F.Muell. (1889)

Description

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It is a tufted perennial sedge, with erect, biconvex culms, growing to 1–2 m in height. The smooth leaves are mostly basal, 1–1.8 m long and 2–3 cm wide. The inflorescence is much branched and 10–20 cm in length. The fruits are narrowly ellipsoidal-trigonous brown nuts, 2 mm long.[1]

Distribution and habitat

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The sedge is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. It occurs on the rocky slopes and summits of Mounts Lidgbird and Gower at the southern end of the island.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d " Machaerina insularis ". Flora of Australia Online: Data derived from Flora of Australia Volume 49 (1994). Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS). Retrieved 2014-02-05.