Cyperus tetragonus

Elliott

Sketch Bot. S. Carolina 1: 71. 1821.

IllustratedEndemic
Synonyms: Cyperus pringlei Britton Cyperus tetragonus var. pringlei (Britton) Kükenthal Mariscus tetragonus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 23. Treatment on page 189. Mentioned on page 149.

Herbs, perennial, cespitose, rhizomatous. Culms trigonous, (20–) 30–80 cm × 1–2.5 mm, glabrous or occasionally with scattered prickles on distal angles. Leaves 9–11, flat to slightly V-shaped, 25–80 cm × 3.5–10 mm. Inflorescences: spikes (1–)3–6, loosely cylindric or oblong with parallel sides, 1.5–4 cm × 10–17 mm; rays 6–12, 2–25 cm, glabrous or rarely scabridulous proximal to spikes; bracts 6–11, ascending at 45°, flat, (1–)10–20(–26) cm × 1–10 mm; rachilla deciduous, wings persistent, 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Spikelets 10–60, narrowly ellipsoid, quadrangular, 5–8 × 1.5–2 mm; floral scales persistent, (2–)3–7, appressed, clear at maturity, laterally reddish to purplish brown, medially greenish, often erose at maturity, laterally 3–5-ribbed, medially 3-ribbed, ovate-elliptic, 2.5–3.2 × 1.8–2.1 mm, apex obtuse. Flowers: anthers 0.8–1 mm; styles 0.3–0.5 mm; stigmas 2–2.5 mm. Achenes brown to reddish brown, sessile, oblong-ovoid to broadly ellipsoid, slightly dorsiventrally flattened, 1.8–2 × 0.7–0.8 mm, apex obtuse, apiculate, surfaces papillose to puncticulate.


Phenology: Fruiting summer–fall (Jun–Nov).
Habitat: Open woods, thickets, barrier islands
Elevation: 0–1000 m

Distribution

V23 328-distribution-map.jpg

Ala., Ariz., Fla., Ga., Miss., N.Mex., N.C.

Discussion

The status of Cyperus pringlei from the southwestern United States requires further study.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Cyperus tetragonus"
Gordon C. Tucker* +, Brian G. Marcks* +  and J. Richard Carter * +
Elliott +
Ala. +, Ariz. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Miss. +, N.Mex. +  and N.C. +
0–1000 m +
Open woods, thickets, barrier islands +
Fruiting summer–fall (Jun–Nov). +
Sketch Bot. S. Carolina +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Cyperus pringlei +, Cyperus tetragonus var. pringlei +  and Mariscus tetragonus +
Cyperus tetragonus +
Cyperus subg. Cyperus +
species +