Hellmuthia membranacea (Thunb.) R.W.Haines & Lye

Perennial herb, tufted or culms arranged in uniseriate row, up to 0.9 m high. Leaves with sheaths with sloping, membranous mouth; blades short or absent. Culm scapose, ± terete, 1.0-2.5 mm in diam. Inflorescence capitate, of 1-10 elliptical-cylindric, obtuse spikes 10-30 x 6-10 mm, lengths variable within inflorescence. Subtending bracts usually 3(2-5) erect, leaf-like, shorter or longer than inflorescence. Spikelet bracts many, closely imbricate, spirally arranged, broadly ovate, 7-9 x 4-5 mm, with central blackish area and broad, light brown, lacerated, membranous margins. Spikelets concealed by bracts, elliptical to lanceolate, dorsiventrally compressed. Perianth absent. Stamens 3. Style short; branches 3, long. Flowering time Feb.-Oct. Nutlet stalked, obovate, 2.2-2.6 x 2.0-2.2 mm, flattened, greyish, surface minutely papillose.