Cyperus pulchellus R.Br.

Perennial with short rhizome; stolons wanting. Stems very slender, tufted, trigonous below, triquetrous above, smooth, 10-20(-40) cm by ½-1 mm, at the base surrounded by stramineous to brownish cataphylls. Leaves 1 or 2 to the stem, very narrow to almost setaceous, rigid, smooth or scaberulous at the top, 1(-1½) mm wide. Inflorescence a single, globose, whitish or pale cinnamon-coloured head 5-10 mm Ø. Involucral bracts (2-)3(-4), much over-topping the inflorescence, patent, finally reflexed, the largest up to 10 cm. Spikelets numerous, ovate, strongly compressed, 8-12-flowered, (2-)3(-5) by 1½-2 mm; rachilla straight, wingless, persistent; internodes 1/5-¼ mm. Glumes membranous, almost hyaline, obliquely patent, elliptic to oblong, obtusish, slightly keeled, faintly 3-nerved, whitish, purplish lineolate, 1-1¾ by ¾-1 mm. Stamen 1, sometimes in some flowers 2; anther oblong, ⅓-½ mm. Style c. ½ mm; stigmas 3. Nut trigonous, obovoid to oblong, slightly attenuate towards the base, shortly apiculate, yellowish to fuscous, 0.5-0.9 by c. ¼ mm.

In open damp places.