Carex (Cyperaceae)—two new species from the calcareous mountains of North‐West Nelson, New Zealand

Abstract

Two new species of Carex are described from the mountains of North‐West Nelson, New Zealand. Both are endemic to the North‐West Nelson Ecological Region and are species of calcareous rock and derived substrates, Carex cremnicola of marble and C. calcis of limestone and calcareous mudstone. Carex cremnicola of section Elatae is similar to C. spinirostris but differs in the presence of androgynous spikes, female spikes that are oblong or clavate rather than linear, and utricles that are elliptic rather than fusiform with an abruptly narrowed rather than tapered beak. Carex calcis of section Echinochlaenae is similar to C. dolomitica but differs by having obovate‐elliptic utricles rather than ovoid or elliptic and with broader more widely spaced nerves, female glume apices that are acute, sometimes shortly awned, rather than emarginate apices with long awns, and wider cylindrical female spikes that are light brown rather than tapered dark brown or red spikes. Illustrations, distribution, and habitat notes are included.