Carex dissita is an endemic flat-leaved sedge with an arching habit, it grows 45-80cm tall. It forms bright green or reddish clumps. It is found throughout New Zealand’s North, South and Stewart Islands, in lowland to montane forest, scrub and swampy areas. It can be abundant along stream sides. Carex dissita green form is the only form in cultivation.
The flowering stems are shorter than the leaves. The flower spikes are >25 mm long and >6mm wide. The flowers are mostly female with a few dark male flowers at the base of the spike. Black seeds appear on stems that are shorter than the leaves. The blackish seed heads distinguish it from similar species. Carex dissita is used for revegetation of the water margin areas of wetlands and is also for stormwater retention plantings.
