Citation: R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 207 (1810) var. uncinata.

Synonymy: -H. compressa sensu Benth., Fl. Aust. 7:510 (1878), non (L.f.) R. Br.

Common name: Mat grass.

Description:
Rather rigid ascending perennial, 20-80 cm high; leaf blades flat, almost glabrous, 2-4 mm broad; ligule of short hairs.

Racemes terminal, solitary, rigid, 6-14 cm long, 2-3 mm broad; spikelets and corresponding hollows alternate or sometimes almost opposite; glumes coriaceous, rounded on the back, faintly 5-7-nerved, opposite, the first c. 10 mm long, coveting the cavity, the second rather longer with its back turned to the cavity, both acuminate and sometimes hooked at the summit; lemmas and palea hyaline, oblong, obtuse, nerveless and much shorter than the glumes; anthers linear, purple.

Published illustration: Burbidge (1970) Australian grasses 3:pl. 71.

Distribution:  Usually grows in damp places.   All States except the N.T. Conservation status: native Flowering time: usually Dec. — Feb.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Resembles Hainardia cyclindrica in which the spikelets have a single shorter glume.

Author: Not yet available