Herbs, perennial, cespitose. Culms basally cormlike, obtusely trigonous to subterete, 25–100 cm × 2–4 mm, densely minutely scabridulous. Leaves inversely W-shaped, 20–70 cm × 4–7 mm, adaxial surface densely hirtellous. Inflorescences: spikes turbinate, 10–12 × 6–9 mm, ± as long as wide; rays 6–12, 1–30 cm (longest bract equaling or shorter than longest ray), harshly scabrid; bracts 3–10, horizontal to ascending at 30°, inversely W-shaped, 6–27 cm × 3–6 mm; rachilla persistent, wings hyaline, 0.5 mm wide, covering 1/2 of mature achene. Spikelets 30–60, proximal spikelets reflexed nearly parallel to ray, distal ones spreading, linear, ± terete, 6–8 × 1–1.4 mm; floral scales persistent, 1(–2), appressed, stramineous, often suffused with reddish purple, laterally 4–6-ribbed, ovate-lanceolate, 4–4.5 × 1.4–1.6 mm, apex straight, excurved mucronate or cuspidate; terminal scale spinose. Flowers: anthers 0.5–1 mm; styles 1.5–2 mm; stigmas 2 mm. Achenes dark brown, narrowly oblong, (2.4–)2.7–2.9(–3.2) × 0.7–0.8 mm, base cuneate, apex obtuse, apiculate, surfaces puncticulate.
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Much like no. 18 [Cyperus retrofractus (L.) Torr], but the rays, prophylls, and upper side of the bracts shortly rough-puberulent or scabrid; stem obtusely trigonous to rounded, rough-hairy to the base; spikes tight, bur-like, only slightly or scarcely longer than thick, tapering downward from the broad top, the axis 7–13 mm; spikelets 6–8 mm, with 1(2) fertile scale; scales 4–4.5 mm; bracts up to as long as the rays; rachilla-wings clasping the achene for half its length. Dry, sandy places; N.J. to Fla., w. to Ky., s. Mo., se. Okla., and e. Tex. (C. retrofractus var. p.)
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