Cyperus niger |
Cyperus gracilis |
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black flatsedge |
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Habit | Plants perennial, rhizomatous. | |
Culms | 5–40(95) cm. |
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Leaves | 3–20(30) cm × 1.5– 3 mm. |
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Inflorescences | clusters densely head-like; ovoid to hemispheric, 7–16(20) mm diameter; rays (0)1–2, 0.3–4.5 cm; inflorescence bracts 2–3; horizontal to reflexed downward. |
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Spikes | (3)5–25(60), linear to oblong-linear, compressed; (3)5–9 × 1.8–2.3 mm; floral scales 4–18, closely imbricate; ovate to orbiculate, 1.5–2.1 × 1.4–2.2 mm; chestnut brown; black, or brown, medially green or greenish brown, laterally ribless, medially 2(3)-ribbed, distinctly 2-keeled basally; apex obtuse. |
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Flowers | anthers 0.6–0.8 mm; styles 0.4–0.6 mm; stigmas 0.7–2.1 mm. |
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Achenes | ellipsoid, 1.2–1.4 × 0.6–0.8 mm, with network of ridges forming isodiametric or square cells. |
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Cyperus niger |
Cyperus gracilis |
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Distribution | ||
Discussion | Swamps, ditches, wet meadows. 50–100 m. CR. CA; east to Oklahoma; South America. Exotic. Cyperus niger is commonly collected without rhizomes and therefore confused with the similar but shorter C. bipartitus. Cyperus niger is variable, and as many as six varieties have been recognized, but the pattern of variation seems too complex to fit into simple taxonomic categories. |
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Source | Flora of Oregon, volume 1, page 236 Barbara Wilson, Richard Brainerd, Nick Otting |
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Sibling taxa | ||
Synonyms | Cyperus melanostachys | |
Web links |