Cyperus conicus (R.Br.) Boeckeler APNI* Synonyms: Mariscus conicus R.Br. APNI*
Cyperus conicus (R.Br.) Boeck. var. conicus APNI*
Description: Tufted greyish perennial with short thick rhizome. Culms trigonous, minutely papillose-scabrous, swollen at the base, 30–100 cm high, to 2.5 mm diam.
Leaves minutely papillose-scabrous abaxially, not septate-nodulose, often longer than culms, 3–5 mm wide.
Inflorescence simple or compound with 4–10 branches to 8 cm long; spikes ovoid, to 1.5 cm long and diam., often 3-lobed at base, the basal lobes much shorter than central spike; involucral bracts leaf-like, 3–5 longer than inflorescence. Spikelets subflattened, very numerous per spike, 2.5–3 mm long, c. 0.8 mm wide, 1 bisexual flower and sometimes 1 male flower above; rachilla broadly winged; spikelet falling as unit. Glumes broad-acute, with sides 3–5-nerved, c. 2.5 mm long, pale brown tinged yellow or red-brown. Stamens 3. Style 3-fid.
Nut trigonous, narrow-obovoid to ellipsoid, about three-quarters length of glume, c. 1.8 mm long, c. 0.8 mm diam., black.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in open woodland, on sandy soil; scattered near Yetman, NE of Narrabri and in Pilliga Scrub area.
NSW subdivisions: NWP
Other Australian states: Qld W.A. N.T.
Threatened species: NSW BCA: Endangered
Distinctive in the greyish, minutely papillose-scabrous culms, leaves and branches.
Text by K. L. Wilson (1993); edited KL Wilson (Jan 2008; Sept 2015)
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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