Cyperus retrorsus

Illustrator: Yevonn Wilson-Ramsey

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Herbs, perennial, cespitose, shortly rhizomatous. Culms trigonous, 20–50(–85) cm × 1–2(–4) mm, glabrous. Leaves 3–6(–10), 10–40(–55) cm × 1.5–4(–5) mm, V- to inversely W-shaped. Inflorescence: spike 1, densely oblong-ovoid often with small basal branches, 8–16 × 4–12(–16) mm; rays 4–8(–11), 0.5–3.5(–8.5) cm; bracts (3–)4–6(–10), ascending at (30–)45°, flat to broadly V-shaped, (4–)14–30(–55) cm × 1–5 mm, scabridulous along margins only; rachilla deciduous, wings persistent, 0.2–0.3 mm wide. Spikelets 40–120, oblong-lanceoloid, subterete, 2.2–4(–4.5) × 0.8–1.6 mm; distal spikelet spreading or ascending; floral scales persistent, 2–5, appressed, brown to stramineous, or fuscous and lustrous, medially greenish and 1(–3)-ribbed, laterally greenish to yellowish white and 3–4-ribbed, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 1.8–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, subcoriacous. Flowers: anthers 0.3–0.5 mm; styles 0.5–0.8 mm; stigmas 0.6–0.9 mm. Achenes brown, oblong-ellipsoid, 1.2–1.7 × 0.5–0.6 mm, base cuneate, apex subacute, surfaces papillose.

Phenology: Fruiting summer (Jun–Aug).
Habitat: Open woods and thickets in moist to dry, sandy soils
Elevation: 0–1000 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ala., Ark., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., Mexico (Tamaulipas).

Discussion

Cyperus retrorsus was reported in Indiana (M. L. Horvat 1941); we have been unable to confirm the report.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.