Herbs, perennial, cespitose, evergreen. Culms compressed or terete. Leaves basal, bladeless; proximal sheaths 4–6, whitish to straw colored, disintegrating at maturity, distal 1(–2, rarely), blade flat, formed from open, elongated sheath, without ligule or evident midvein, usually 2–5 cm wide. Inflorescences terminal, single spike; bracts spirally arranged, each subtending flower, scalelike. Spikelets 1-flowered; scales 0–1. Flowers unisexual; staminate flowers without scales; pistillate flowers with 1 scale enclosing flower (perigynium), open only at apex; perianth absent; stamens 3; styles deciduous, linear, 3-fid. Achenes sharply trigonous.

Distribution

e North America.

Discussion

Species 1.

Selected References

SELETED REFERENCES Clarkson, R. B. 1962. Fraser’s sedge, Cymophyllus fraseri (Andrews) Mackenzie. Castanea 26: 129–136.

Reznicek, A. A. 1989. Homology of the leaf in the southern Appalachian endemic Cymophyllus fraseri (Cyperaceae). [Abstract.] Amer. J. Bot. 76(6, suppl.): 267.

Thomas, W. W. 1984b. Insect pollination of Cymophyllus fraseri (Andrews) Mackenzie. Castanea 49: 94–95.

Lower Taxa

Cymophyllus fraserianus