Carex cognata Kunth

Perennial herb, tufted (sometimes long-rhizomatous), 0.35-0.80 m high. Leaf blades 230-680 x 6-8 mm, flat; upper and lower surfaces scabrid. Culm nodose, sharply 3-angled, 2-3 mm in diam. Inflorescence a raceme of spikes, 115-195 mm long. Bracts 1 at each node, leaf-like. Spikes 3-6, the largest 20-70 x 7-11 mm. Pistillate bracts (glumes) ovate-lanceolate, 5-6 mm x 1.2-1.8 mm, keel excurrent into 1.2-3.0 mm long scabrid awn. Perigynium spreading, stalked, 4.0-5.2 x 1.5-2.0 mm, elliptic or rotund in cross section, much inflated, stramineous and reddish, cartilaginous, glabrous, nervose; rostrum 1.1-2.0 mm long, apex deeply bidentate. Flowering time Dec., Mar. Nutlet obovate or elliptic, 1.7-2.8 x 1.2-1.5 mm, 3-angled, dark brown, surface minutely papillose.