Hypodiscus aristatus (Thunb.) C.Krauss

Plants stout and tufted, from well-developed rhizomes, forming dark coloured tussocks, 0.3-1.2 mm high. Culms unbranched, smooth, 1-2 mm in diam. Leaf sheaths tightly wrapped around culms, persistent. Male and female inflorescences: 1-several spikelets per culm; spathes large, curved backwards. Spikelets compact, spiky, spindle-shaped; male many-flowered; female larger than male and with 1 terminal flower; having a bristly appearance when older. Bracts bony, acuminate, longer than flowers. Female perianth of membranous tepals. Ovary unilocular; styles 2, plumose, joined at base, projecting from top of spikelet. Flowering time Dec., Jan. Fruit a nut, smooth and shiny, dark brown to black; elaiosome pale green.