Cyperus hermaphroditus
Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 18: 88. 1916.
Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous. Culms trigonous, (10–) 30–80 (–140) cm × (0.4–) 1–3 (–5) mm, glabrous. Leaves V-shaped or flanged V-shaped, (5–) 15–70 (–90) cm × (2–) 4–10 (–13) mm, glabrous. Inflorescences: spikes 1 (–5), rather densely ovoid or oblong-cylindric, (10–) 25–45 (–62) × 7–22 mm, 11–21 spikelets per 5 mm of rachis; rays (3–) 5–10 (–17), (1–) 5–12 (–24) cm; bracts (2–) 4–8, ascending at 30–45°, V or inversely W-shaped, (2–) 8–40 (–65) cm × (1–) 2–8 mm; rachilla deciduous, wings 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Spikelets (10–) 50–150, oblong to linear, quadrangular, (3–) 4–8 (–18) × (0.8–) 1–1.2 (–1.6) mm; distal spikelet spreading or ascending; floral scales (1–) 3–8, pale greenish white to golden brown, deep brown, or reddish-brown, medially usually green, weakly to strongly 3 (–4) -ribbed laterally, 1–3-ribbed medially, ovate to elliptic, (2–) 2.6–3.2 (–4) × 1.2–2 mm, apex obtuse. Flowers: anthers (0.4–) 0.6–1 mm; styles 0.4–1.6 mm; stigmas 1–1.5 mm. Achenes brown or reddish-brown, sessile or nearly so, ellipsoid, 1.4–1.8 (–2) × 0.6–0.8 (–1) mm, apex acute to obtuse, slightly apiculate, surfaces puncticulate.
Phenology: Fruiting summer–fall.
Habitat: Arroyos
Elevation: 500–1200 m
Distribution
Ariz., Tex., Mexico, West Indies, South America
Discussion
An erroneous report of Cyperus hermaphroditus from Alabama was based on misidentification of C. thyrsiflorus.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
"shortened" is not a number.