Carex zuluensis C.B.Clarke

Perennial herb, tufted, 0.8-1.2 m high. Leaf blades ± 500-650 x 7-12 mm, flat. Culm nodose, 3-angled, 1.5-2.7 mm in diam. Inflorescence up to 240-505 x 20-50 mm. Bracts 1 at each node, leaf-like. Primary inflorescence units 5 or 6, linear, all bisexual, erect or suberect, the largest 50-95 x 8-20 mm. Female bracts (glumes) ovate, 3.5-4.5 x 2 mm, awn up to 1 mm long. Perigynium suberect, with basal callus, 4.5-6.0 x 1.5-2.0 mm, 3-angled with upper side winged in cross section, slightly inflated, green, herbaceous, with 2 conspicuous curved submarginal nerves on lower (outward) surface, scabrid in distal half; rostrum 1.2-2.0 mm long, apex shallowly bidentate. Flowering time Dec.-Apr. Nutlet obovate, narrowly clawed, 2.5-3.5 x 1.2-1.8 mm, 3-angled, dark brown with lighter angles, surface minutely papillose.