Cyperus hypopitys
Syst. Bot. Monogr. 43: 129, fig. 54. 1994.
Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, tending to form small clumps by basal offshoots. Culms triquetrous, bulbous, thickened, (20–) 30–80 (–90) cm × 0.7–1.2 mm, glabrous proximally, becoming trigonous strongly scabridulous on distal angles, clothed with persistent reddish fibers at base. Leaves flat to V-shaped, 20–45 cm × 2–4 mm. Inflorescences: spike 1, loosely ovoid to ovoid-ellipsoid, (1.5–) 2.5–7 × (1–) 1.5–3.5 cm; rays (1–) 2–4, to 6 cm; 2d order rays rarely present, to 2 cm; 3d order rays absent; bracts (2–) 3, ± horizontal, 1–15 (–21) cm × 0.4–3.5 mm; rachilla deciduous, wings hyaline, 0.3–0.4 mm wide. Spikelets (3–) 8–26, reddish to reddish-brown, linear, compressed-quadrangular, 8–18 × (2.4–) 2.8–4 mm; floral scales deciduous, 6–16, laterally reddish, medially green, occasionally red-glandular, laterally strongly 3 (–4) -ribbed, medially punctate, 1–3-ribbed, ovatelanceolate, (2.6–) 2.8–3.3 × (1.4–) 1.6–1.8 (–2) mm, apex weakly 3-dentate, mucronulate, with tuft of crystalline prickles, medially glabrous. Flowers: anthers 0.8–1.1 mm; styles 1–1.4 mm; stigmas 1–1.4 mm. Achenes brownish, stipitate, ellipsoid, 1.6–2 × (0.7–) 0.9–1 mm, base whitish, stipe to 0.1–0.2 mm, apex obtuse, slightly apiculate, surfaces papillose.
Phenology: Fruiting late summer–early fall.
Habitat: Canyons in pine forests
Elevation: 500–1500 m
Distribution
Ariz., Mexico (Chihuahua), Mexico (Durango), Mexico (Sinaloa), Mexico (Sonora)
Discussion
Of conservation concern.
Cyperus hypopitys can be recognized by the combination of reddish floral scales and sharp-angled culms.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
"shortened" is not a number.