Cyperus sesquiflorus (Torr.) Mattf. & Kük. APNI* Synonyms: Kyllinga odorata Vahl APNI*
Description: Annual or perennial with short rhizome.
Culms triquetrous, smooth, 5–40 cm high, to 1 mm diam.
Leaves not septate-nodulose, as long as culm or shorter, 2–4 mm wide. Inflorescence spike-like, oblong-cylindrical, 6–12 mm long, 4–6 mm diam., often with 1 or 2 much smaller globose subsidiary heads; involucral bracts leaf-like, 3 or 4 much exceeding the inflorescence. Spikelets flattened, numerous in head, 2–3.5 mm long, 1–1.3 mm wide in side view, 1- (rarely 2-)flowered, falling as unit. Glumes short-mucronate, with sides 2–5-nerved, 2–2.5 mm long, with usually smooth midrib, whitish to pale brown. Stamens 2. Style 2-fid.
Nut biconvex, obovate to elliptic, about two-thirds as long as glume, c. 1.5 mm long, c. 1 mm wide, black.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: A weed in pastures and lawns, often on damp sandy soil; scattered on coast north from Sydney region. Native of trop. regions.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC, *NT
Other Australian states: *Qld *N.T.
Text by K. L. Wilson
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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