Cyperus plukenetii Fernald

Cyperus plukenetii is distinguished by its tight, burlike spikes, few-flowered spikelets, and densely pubescent culms, leaves, and rays.

Herbs, perennial, cespitose. Culms basally cormlike, obtusely trigonous to subterete, 25–100 cm × 2–4 mm, densely minutely scabridulous. Leaves inversely W-shaped, 20–70 cm × 4–7 mm, adaxial surface densely hirtellous. Inflorescences: spikes turbinate, 10–12 × 6–9 mm, ± as long as wide; rays 6–12, 1–30 cm (longest bract equaling or shorter than longest ray), harshly scabrid; bracts 3–10, horizontal to ascending at 30°, inversely W-shaped, 6–27 cm × 3–6 mm; rachilla persistent, wings hyaline, 0.5 mm wide, covering 1/2 of mature achene. Spikelets 30–60, proximal spikelets reflexed nearly parallel to ray, distal ones spreading, linear, ± terete, 6–8 × 1–1.4 mm; floral scales persistent, 1(–2), appressed, stramineous, often suffused with reddish purple, laterally 4–6-ribbed, ovate-lanceolate, 4–4.5 × 1.4–1.6 mm, apex straight, excurved mucronate or cuspidate; terminal scale spinose. Flowers: anthers 0.5–1 mm; styles 1.5–2 mm; stigmas 2 mm. Achenes dark brown, narrowly oblong, (2.4–)2.7–2.9(–3.2) × 0.7–0.8 mm, base cuneate, apex obtuse, apiculate, surfaces puncticulate.

Ala., Ark., Del., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va.

Fruiting summer (Jul–Aug).

Dry sand hills, xeric upland woods; 0–200m.

Cyperus plukenetii is a species of sedge that is native to south central and south eastern parts of United States.