Cyperus reflexus
Cyperus fugax
bentawn flatsedge
withering flatsedge
roundly trigonous to terete, 30–80 cm × 1–1.6 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.
1–6, 10–40 cm, glabrous or essentially so.
V-shaped, (1–)3–5(–10) cm × (0.5–)1–2 mm.
heads ovoid to pyramidal, 9–15 mm diam.;
rays 0 or 3–6, 0.5–4 cm, glabrous;
bracts 3–4, longest erect, appearing as continuation of culm, others horizontal to ascending, 4–17 cm × 1.5–4 mm.
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.
25–60, reddish with contrasting yellowish or greenish edges, oblong-lanceoloid, strongly compressed, 5–6(–15) × 1.5–2.5 mm;
floral scales 10–22, laterally reddish, medially yellowish green, 2-keeled, laterally strongly 1-ribbed on each side, proximally grooved, ovate-elliptic, 1.4–2.2 × 0.8–1.5 mm, apex acute, apically scabridulous (sometimes glabrous).
(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.
stamen 1;
anthers 0.6–1 mm;
styles 0.3–0.5 mm;
stigmas 0.3–0.6 mm.
stamens 2;
anthers 0.1–0.2 mm;
styles 0.1–0.3(–0.4) mm;
stigmas 0.3–0.4 mm.
reddish brown, stipitate, ovoid-ellipsoid, 0.8–0.9 × 0.3–0.4 mm, stipe 0.1–0.2 mm, apex acute to acuminate, surfaces reticulate or subtly rugulose.
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 reflexus
Cyperus fugax
Cyperus reflexus is recognized by its reddish scales with contrasting greenish or yellow keels and by the laterally 1ribbed scales. The lateral rib is most often situated where the reddish and yellowish parts of the scale meet. Two varieties of C. reflexus, var. reflexus and var. fraternus, have been recognized (M. F. Denton 1978b). Both varieties were noted as intermingled in the North American and South American segments of the widely disjunct range of C. reflexus. Such variation does not seem significant at the varietal level (see G. C. Tucker 1994; G. C. Tucker and R. McVaugh 1993).
(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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