Common name: Button Rush
Cyperus leptocarpus (F.Muell.) Bauters APNI* Synonyms: Lipocarpha microcephala (R.Br.) Kunth APNI*
Rikliella australiensis J.Raynal APNI*
Description: Slender annual.
Culms smooth, 2–35 cm high, less than 1 mm diam. Leaves shorter than culms, 1–2 mm wide.
Inflorescence of 1–4 ovoid spikes, each 2–8 mm long, 2–4 mm diam.; involucral bracts 2 or 3, spreading widely, to 12 cm long. Spikelet bract oblong-obovate, with 0–2 nerves on sides, 1–1.7 mm long with excurved mucro 0.5–0.7 mm long, pale brown often tinged red-brown. Hyaline scales 0.6–1 mm long, occasionally reduced or absent. Stamens 1 or 2; anthers 0.2–0.4 mm long. Style usually 2-fid.
Nut subterete, very narrow-ellipsoid, 0.7–1 mm long, c. 0.2 mm diam., pale brown.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in open damp places such as sandy stream banks; widespread but scattered.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, NT, NWS, CWS, SWS, NWP, SWP, NFWP
Other Australian states: Qld S.A. N.T.
Text by K. L. Wilson
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993), as Lipocarpha microcephala.
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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