Culms and leaves with non-Kranz anatomy (C3). Inflorescences: spikes; rachilla persistent, wingless. Spikelets borne in digitate clusters (rarely singly) or in umbellate or glomerulate heads; floral scales deciduous, 2-keeled or folded (conduplicate). Flowers: stamens 1–3; stigmas 3. Achenes trigonous, plano-convex, or terete.

Distribution

Worldwide.

Discussion

Species ca. 150 (22 in the flora).

The greatest species diversity of Cyperus subg. Pycnostachys is found in the lowland forests of Central America, South America, Africa, and Malesia.

Selected References

Carter, J. R., D. K. Alexander, C. T. Bryson, and A. Lazari. 1999. The taxonomy of Cyperus virens and Cyperus drummondii (Cyperaceae) in the southeastern United States. Sida 18: 1049–1063.

Lower Taxa

Cyperus acuminatus, Cyperus amabilis, Cyperus cuspidatus, Cyperus dentatus, Cyperus difformis, Cyperus distinctus, Cyperus drummondii, Cyperus entrerianus, Cyperus eragrostis, Cyperus fuscus, Cyperus gracilis, Cyperus haspan, Cyperus involucratus, Cyperus lecontei, Cyperus ochraceus, Cyperus onerosus, Cyperus prolifer, Cyperus pseudovegetus, Cyperus reflexus, Cyperus seslerioides, Cyperus surinamensis, Cyperus virens