Cyperus hermaphroditus
Cyperus fugax
hermaphrodite flatsedge
withering flatsedge
trigonous, (10–)30–80(–140) cm × (0.4–)1–3(–5) mm, glabrous.
(1–)10–30(–60) together, roundly trigonous proximally, trigonous distally, (0.5–)3–6(–12) cm × (0.2–)0.4–0.8 mm, glabrous.
V-shaped or flanged V-shaped, (5–)15–70(–90) cm × (2–)4–10(–13) mm, glabrous.
V-shaped, (1–)3–5(–10) cm × (0.5–)1–2 mm.
spikes 1(–5), rather densely ovoid or oblong-cylindric, (10–)25–45(–62) × 7–22 mm, 11–21 spikelets per 5 mm of rachis;
rays (3–)5–10(–17), (1–)5–12(–24) cm;
bracts (2–)4–8, ascending at 30–45°, V- or inversely W-shaped, (2–)8–40(–65) cm × (1–)2–8 mm;
rachilla deciduous, wings 0.4–0.5 mm wide.
spikes loosely ovoid, 8–15(–25) mm wide;
rachis 1–3 mm;
rays (1–)2–4(–6), (0.5–)1–3(–6) cm; 2d order rays absent;
bracts (1–)2–4(–5), ascending at 30–45°, V-shaped, (1–)2.5–6(–11) cm × 0.5–1.8 mm.
(10–)50–150, oblong to linear, quadrangular, (3–)4–8(–18) × (0.8–)1–1.2(–1.6) mm;
distal spikelet spreading or ascending;
floral scales (1–) 3–8, pale greenish white to golden brown, deep brown, or reddish brown, medially usually green, weakly to strongly 3(–4)-ribbed laterally, 1–3-ribbed medially, ovate to elliptic, (2–)2.6–3.2(–4) × 1.2–2 mm, apex obtuse.
(2–)4–6(–10), linear-lanceoloid, strongly flattened, (5–)8–12(–18) × 1.2–1.5 (1.8) mm;
floral scales (5–)10–16(–32), laterally clear, stramineous or light reddish brown, medially green, laterally ribless, medially 3(–5)-ribbed, ovate, (1.2–)1.3–1.6(–2) × 1–1.2(–1.4) mm, apex obtuse, mucronate to minutely mucronulate.
anthers (0.4–)0.6–1 mm;
styles 0.4–1.6 mm;
stigmas 1–1.5 mm.
stamens 2;
anthers 0.1–0.2 mm;
styles 0.1–0.3(–0.4) mm;
stigmas 0.3–0.4 mm.
brown or reddish brown, sessile or nearly so, ellipsoid, 1.4–1.8(–2) × 0.6–0.8(–1) mm, apex acute to obtuse, slightly apiculate, surfaces puncticulate.
light to dark brown, glossy or iridescent, stipitate, oblong-obovoid, 0.9–1.1 × 0.4–0.5 mm, stipe 0.1 mm, apex truncate, apiculate, surfaces punctate.
Cyperus hermaphroditus
Cyperus fugax
An erroneous report of Cyperus hermaphroditus from Alabama was based on misidentification of C. thyrsiflorus.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Cyperus fugax is known from Louisiana from an early nineteeth century collection from “western Louisiana” (Hale s.n., TCD).
Cyperus fugax has been treated as a form of C. polystachyos (G. Kükenthal 1935–1936; A. B. Ayers 1946); nevertheless, specific status is appropriate. The most conspicuous differences are the annual habit and small size (less than 12 cm) of C. fugax; C. polystachyos is a perennial of moderate size (mostly taller than 20 cm). Other differences are summarized below.
Cyperus polystachyos is characterized as a shortly rhizomatous perennial; floral scales oblong, 1.8–2.4 mm, closely imbricate; styles 0.6–1 mm; stigmas 1.4–2 mm; anthers 0.6–0.8 mm; achenes substipitate to cuneate, slightly compressed laterally.
Cyperus fugax is characterized as a nonrhizomatous annual; floral scales ovate, 1.3–1.6 mm, loosely imbricate; styles 0.1–0.2 mm; stigmas 0.3–0.4 mm; filaments 1.2–1.4 mm; anthers 0.1–0.2 mm; achenes stipitate, strongly compressed laterally.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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