| Although
the wire sedges (Restionaceae) are not particularly diverse
in Tasmania, with only 14 native species in 11 genera, they
are a conspicuous and ecologically important group. They are
one of the dominant families (along with Cyperaceae) in
sedgeland vegetation.
The obvious characteristic of the family is that the
leaves are reduced to scales that sheath the stem. Most
species have many of these scales, and the plants are
wiry. The flowers are reduced and in inflorescences (as in
the related families Cyperaceae,
Poaceae, Centrolepidaceae and Juncaceae). Unlike
Poaceae, Centrolepidaceae and Cyperaceae, and like
Juncaceae, the flowers have petals and sepals (although
these are small and dry).
A couple of species of Cyperaceae can be confusied with
Restionaceae. These include Caustis
pentandra which also has wiry stems with
multiple scale leaves, and Baumea
juncea which has erect slender stems with
scale-leaves.
|
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University of Tasmania
