Scirpus articulatusL. [family CYPERACEAE], (1753). Fig. 61 A. [type as above]
Information
Robust tufted annual with few–many crowded stems; stems usually 4–30 cm long (excluding the stem-like bract above the inflorescence) or 12–70 cm long when including the bract, terete. Leaf-sheaths often much wider than the stem; blades absent. Inflorescence of few–numerous crowded, apparently lateral spikelets in a dense head; main inflorescence-bract stem-like, 6–40 cm long and 1–8 mm wide, with conspicuous transverse septa, much longer than the actual stem which ends at the inflorescence. Spikelets 6–18 x 4-10 mm, ovoid, acute, often variegated grey, greenish and reddish brown. Glumes 4–6.5 mm long, ovate-triangular, golden to reddish brown with a greenish slightly excurrent midrib. Perianth absent. Style with 3 stigmas. Nutlet 1.8–2 mm long, somewhat triangular, smooth, almost black when mature. Some basal flowers usually present and producing more globular nutlets, 4–5 x 3–4 mm.
