Uncinia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cyperaceae, known as hook-sedges in Australia[3] and as hook grasses or bastard grasses in New Zealand.[4] The genus is characterised by the presence of a long hook formed by an extension of the rachilla,[5] which is used to attach the fruit to passing animals (epizoochory), especially birds,[6] and it is this feature which gives the genus its name, from the Latinuncinus, meaning a hook or barb.[7]
Uncinia is a "satellite genus" of the very large genus Carex, alongside other satellites such as Cymophyllus, Kobresia, Schoenoxiphium, Vesicarex.[8]Uncinia seems to form a monophyletic group, with the most distinct species being U. kingii, a species which has sometimes been placed in the genus Carex.[5] Similarly, Carex microglochin has sometimes been included in Uncinia, as U. microglochin.[9]
^Julian R. Starr, Stephen A. Harris and David A. Simpson (2004). "Phylogeny of the unispicate taxa in Cyperaceae Tribe Cariceae I: generic relationships and evolutionary scenarios". Systematic Botany. 29 (3): 528–544. doi:10.1600/0363644041744455. S2CID86230977.
^L. B. Moore & E. Edgar (1970). "Uncinia Pers., 1807". Flora of New Zealand. Volume II: Indigenous Tracheophyta — Monocotyledons except Graminae. ISBN0-477-01889-0.