Lepidosperma (genus)

Seems to fit Plantnet key for Lepidosperma laterale based on my memory of the specimens I observed. leaf/culm margins were smooth and not sticky. Plant lists for this area include L. laterale (though they are not necessarily reliable). Please advise what further information should I provide or obtain to identify to species level?

I tend to agree with you suggesting Lepidosperma laterale.
Okay .
Hence, so confirming identification as Lepidosperma laterale of course is a more serious step .

Referring to the key here : https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=gn&name=Lepidosperma
(meanwhile beware it is quite out of date, with much more recent Lepidosperma taxonomy work since it was published) .

• Inflorescence lengths averaged or a range ? (key questions' step 12 couplet) – i
I suggest this plant does have (quotation): "long, more or less spreading branches";
thus going to key questions' step 13 .

Confirming this does not identify as Lepidosperma elatius .

• Spikelets lengths averaged or a range ? (key questions' step 17 couplet)


The Flora of Vic. online VicFlora key has been a bit more up-dated but also is somewhat behind the most recent taxonomy publications : https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/key/1991
.

Re Plantnet step 17, spikelets generally >=5mm, would key our to L laterale (note there is a second path to get to this species in PlantNet!).
Re VicFlora key, everything was fine up to step 6 (leaf length), where leaves were longer than inflorescence but only by a small amount - this would key out to be L curtisiae, however, for that species the leaves are said to be much longer than the inflorescence. From species description, would rule out L curtisiae, so if put in that leaves are not longer than inflorescence, end up keying our to L laterale. Of the PlantNet descriptions of the individual species, the best fit is L laterale.

Yes, in general i agree with all you have written above .
Confirming an identification means proving with evidences.

Hence next Lepidosperma sightings please include measurements of inflorescences and of spikelets,
in terms of averages or a measurement range .
We all have challenges to surmount with Lepidosperma spp. identifications which will only get achieved with gathering more evidences in the field .

When time permits, i will dig back up the more recent Lepidosperma taxonomy publications .

Again, I tend to agree with you suggesting Lepidosperma laterale.
Yet, not with confirming so.
A different moderator may be so bold as to confirm Lepidosperma laterale .

Lepidosperma publications, in general and in specific parts, more recent than the Flora of NSW online PlantNet and the Flora of Vic. online VicFlora:

Starting with these:
• https://www.publish.csiro.au/SB/SB11037
• https://www.publish.csiro.au/SB/SB06007

In Google Scholar you can freely access these publications, here:
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=intitle%3ALepidosperma


More publications to come when i have more time to dig them up .

the dates of the two publications referred to are 2006 and 2012.
In VicFlora (which is Flora Victoria on line), the text was updated in 2021.

Yes exactly regarding 2006 and 2012 . Only the genus page in VicFlora was partly updated by Val Stajsic in 2021 (still not completely incorporating the information from those 2006 and 2012 publications, nor all from the 2016 PhD in my comment further below here which i cite, etc. ).
Not all of it updated and not all of the botanical key updated and not all of the species pages updated .

Referring to the key in VicFlora which was not completely updated for many years except some minority parts especially the parts regarding Lepidosperma congestum, Lepidosperma laeve and Lepidosperma hispidulum
– previously Lepidosperma congestum and Lepidosperma laeve were exetensively mis-identified, it states .

Reading these 2006 and 2012 publications, again following fully cited and linked, :
We realise that VicFlora and NSW PlantNet have not really had substantial updates regarding Lepidosperma laterale, and Lepidosperma gunnii included within Lepidosperma laterale as suggested by the publications, for most relevant examples.
Amongst more examples of undescribed taxa (only phrase named) related to Lepidosperma laterale s.s. (in the strict sense) suggested in these publications;
which were previously included in Lepidosperma laterale s.l. (in the broad sense) :

• Hodgon, J., J. J. Bruhl, & K. L. Wilson (2006)
Systematic studies in Lepidosperma (Cyperaceae: Schoeneae) with particular reference to L. laterale.
Australian Systematic Botany 19 (3) : 273–288 .
https://www.publish.csiro.au/SB/SB06007

• Barrett, R. L., & K. L. Wilson (2012)
A review of the genus Lepidosperma Labill.(Cyperaceae: Schoeneae).
Australian Systematic Botany 25 (4) : 225–294.
https://www.publish.csiro.au/SB/SB11037

.

The VicFlora Lepidosperma laterale page and the VicFlora Lepidosperma gunnii page,
are based on the 1994 print–published Flora of Vic. .

Much of the Flora of NSW online PlantNet Lepidosperma species' pages also are based on the taxa concepts in the 1993 print–published Flora of NSW with subsequent smaller, minority parts, updates.

Flora of NSW online PlantNet Lepidosperma laterale page quotation:
"
The style is sometimes 4-fid.
A variable species, whose limits compared with L. gunnii and L. latens are not clear.
Several varieties have been recognized in this species, but they do not seem to be useful categories.
Further study is needed.

Text by K. L. Wilson (1993); edited KL Wilson (2011, May 2020)
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993) .
"

My suggestions here include making sightings in a proactive and systematic way,
including please (on the 'front foot') with more recording of evidences for Lepidosperma laterale s.l., s.s. and related taxa,
so that all small steps by steps contribute to the necessary further studies .

Plunkett, George T. (2016) (Supervisors : Jeremy Bruhl and Karen L. Wilson)
Systematics, Evolution and Ecology of Eastern Australian Species Of 'Lepidosperma' Labill. (Cyperaceae).
Doctoral Thesis [PhD] .
University of New England, Armidale NSW .
https://rune.une.edu.au/web/handle/1959.11/57480

Quotation:
"
Abstract:

This thesis investigates the systematics and ecology of the eastern Australian species of Lepidosperma Labill. (Cyperaceae). The investigation sets the c. 33 eastern Australian species in context with the c. 76 described species found throughout Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and southern Asia.

We investigated the status of a putative new species of Lepidosperma from the mountains of south-western Tasmania using phenetic analysis on morphological/anatomical data (Chapter 2). Our results support the recognition of this species, here described as Lepidosperma monticola G.T.Plunkett & J.J.Bruhl. The distribution, habitat and conservation status are discussed.

The thickened and persistent perianth members of Lepidosperma diaspores are generally assumed to form a unique type of elaiosome. We tested whether these perianth members provide a food reward and improve the removal of diaspores by ants (Chapter 3). We measured the physical traits of diaspores, the lipid and fatty acid composition of the perianth, and the relative attractiveness to ants of the perianth of some species of Lepidosperma. We found that diaspores of Lepidosperma show traits consistent with myrmecochory, particularly the lipid content of perianth material and the presence of oleic acid in fruit and perianth of Lepidosperma. Diaspores of Lepidosperma and Acacia were equally attractive to ants. We concluded that the perianth members act as an elaiosome that provides a lipid-rich food reward and contains known ant attractants.

Lepidosperma viscidum R.Br. forms a highly diverse complex distributed across southeastern Australia. We utilised multiple sources of data to delimit species: phenetic analyses using morphology/anatomy; novel resin metabolic fingerprinting; and phylogenetic analyses via nuclear ribosomal (ETS) and chloroplast (trnL-F) gene sequencing (Chapter 4). Our results give strong support for a more condensed circumscription of L. viscidum s.s., and the recognition of at least three undescribed species.
[See also : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277140248_Sticky_Sword-Sedge_Systematics_Lepidosperma_viscidum_Cyperaceae ]

Lepidosperma is taxonomically difficult for non-specialists and specialists; delimitation of many species of Lepidosperma has long been problematic. We used nuclear ribosomal (ETS) and chloroplast (trnL-F) gene sequence data from over 300 specimens for phylogenetic analysis and to test known and putative species. Overall, the analysis provides good resolution above the level of species, but little support for higher relationships within the genus. We found that most described species are well supported but the L. laterale R.Br. clade in particular continues to be unresolved. The analyses also provided support for the recognition of at least four further undescribed species and highlights avenues for future work.
" .

OK, and thank you. It's grown somewhat from an incidental sighting of a sedge-like plant that I hadn't noticed before while out trying to control woody weeds. Your comments have been noted, appreciated and taken on board. I assume that getting the taxonomy rights should precede revision of the plant keys.

Yes indeed on all points. Let's systematically just assist the taxonomists, even in small steps ways !