Plants perennial; rhizomes spreading, conspicuous, long, tough, firm; tubers absent. Culms (1–)2–10 mm diam. Leaves all basal. Inflorescences 1–3 times branched or capitate or sometimes of 1 spikelet. Spikelets: scales with midrib only, except sometimes on empty proximal scale, apex clearly emarginate to deeply 2-fid, awned. Flowers: perianth present, segments (members) bristlelike and spinulose or occasionally straplike with soft, blunt hairs; amphicarpic flowers absent. Achenes smooth.

Distribution

Worldwide.

Discussion

Species ca. 12 (8 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Schoenoplectus acutus, Schoenoplectus americanus, Schoenoplectus californicus, Schoenoplectus deltarum, Schoenoplectus heterochaetus, Schoenoplectus pungens, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Schoenoplectus triqueter