Cyperus tenax Boeckeler

Perennial herb, tufted, with persistent remains of old leaf-sheaths (often fire-scarred), 0.15-0.65 m high. Leaf blades 2.5 mm wide, inrolled when dry, tough. Culm scapose, wiry, 0.8-1.3 mm in diam. at middle. Inflorescence variable, a simple or compound anthela of ± spherical clusters of up to 16 easily discernable, digitately arranged spikelets. Subtending bracts 3-6, leaf-like. Spikelets much compressed, linear, of varying lengths in same cluster, 5-8(-15) x 1.5 mm, 8-20-flowered. Glumes ± distant, lanceolate, 1.8-2.2 mm long, keel excurrent into small straight point. Flowering time Dec. Nutlet narrowly elliptical, ± 1 mm long, 3-angled, dark brown, surface puncticulate.