familyCyperaceae
genusOxycaryum
Show Lower Taxa
Oxycaryum
in C. F. P. von Martius et al., Fl. Brasil. 2(1): 90. 1842.
Etymology: Greek oxys, sharp, and carya, nut
Herbs, perennial, not cespitose, stoloniferous, aquatic. Culms solitary, trigonous. Leaves basal; ligules present, ciliate; blades flat to V-shaped in cross section, prominently keeled on abaxial surface. Inflorescences terminal, umbellate heads or capitate; involucral bracts 1–6+, spreading, leaflike. Spikelets: scales 5–10+, 3-ranked, spirally arranged, each subtending flower. Flowers bisexual; perianth absent; stamens 3; styles 2-fid, linear, base persistent. Achenes plano-convex, margins and apex corky.
Distribution
Tropical and subtropical America and Africa.
Discussion
Species 1.