Flora of North America species comparison

trigonous, 20–50(–85) cm × 1–2(–4) mm, glabrous.

and leaves with Kranz (chlorocyperoid) anatomy.

3–6(–10), 10–40(–55) cm × 1.5–4(–5) mm, V- to inversely W-shaped.

spike 1, densely oblong-ovoid often with small basal branches, 8–16 × 4–12(–16) mm;

rays 4–8(–11), 0.5–3.5(–8.5) cm;

bracts (3–)4–6(–10), ascending at (30–)45°, flat to broadly V-shaped, (4–)14–30(–55) cm × 1–5 mm, scabridulous along margins only;

rachilla deciduous, wings persistent, 0.2–0.3 mm wide.

spikes loose to dense, ovoid to cylindric;

rachilla falling early or persistent, wingless or winged.

40–120, oblong-lanceoloid, subterete, 2.2–4(–4.5) × 0.8–1.6 mm;

distal spikelet spreading or ascending;

floral scales persistent, 2–5, appressed, brown to stramineous, or fuscous and lustrous, medially greenish and 1(–3)-ribbed, laterally greenish to yellowish white and 3–4-ribbed, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 1.8–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, subcoriacous.

if rachilla articulate at base, spikelets borne in spikes on conspicuous rachis, falling as achenes mature, if rachilla continuous at base, persistent after achenes mature;

floral scales persistent or deciduous;

stamens 3 (1, less frequently 2 in C. squarrosus and C. granitophilus).

anthers 0.3–0.5 mm;

styles 0.5–0.8 mm;

stigmas 0.6–0.9 mm.

stigmas 3.

brown, oblong-ellipsoid, 1.2–1.7 × 0.5–0.6 mm, base cuneate, apex subacute, surfaces papillose.

trigonous, sometimes dorsiventrally flattened.