Rhynchospora scirpoides Griseb.

Plants annual, cespitose, (20–)30–80(–100) cm; rhizomes absent. Culms erect or ascending, leafy, nearly terete or obscurely angular, many-ribbed, stiff. Leaves exceeding or exceeded by inflorescences; blades linear, proximally flat, 1–5 mm wide, apex trigonous, tapering. Inflorescences terminal and axillary, clusters of corymbs 1–5, diffuse, branches ascending to divaricate; leafy bracts much exceeding axillary corymbs. Spikelets red brown to dark brown, ovoid lanceoloid, 3–6(–7) mm, apex acute; fertile scales several, narrowly ovate, 2.5–3.5 mm, apex narrowly acute; midrib included or short excurrent. Flowers: perianth absent. Fruits 1.3–1.5 mm; body brown to blackish, tumidly lenticular, nearly orbicular, 0.6–1 × 0.6–1 mm, margins distinct, narrow, flowing into base of tubercle; tubercle flat, narrowly triangular, at least 0.5 mm high, base broadly 2-lobed, apex acuminate.