Willdenowia glomerata (Thunb.) H.P.Linder

Plants forming untidy tussocks, 0.3-1.5 m high; shortly rhizomatous. Culms sparingly branched or branching, smooth. Leaf sheaths persistent, closely or loosely wrapped around culm, bicoloured, brown, upper 1/3 membranous and decaying, different from base. Male inflorescences: flowers not grouped into spikelets; spathes caducous, taller than spikelets, coriaceous, expanded and awn-bearing. Female inflorescences with (1)2-5 spikelets; spathes longer than spikelets, persistent or caducous, coriaceous. Spikelets sessile, 12-25 mm long; flowers solitary; bracts 5-8; tepals chartaceous or membranous, not wider and touching at base. Ovary unilocular; styles 2, plumose, white, bases free. Flowering time Mar.-Sept. Fruit an indehiscent nut; elaiosome green.