Cyperus ligularis

Linnaeus

Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 867. 1759.

Illustrated
Synonyms: Mariscus rufus Kunth
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 23. Treatment on page 190. Mentioned on page 148, 188.

Herbs, perennial, solitary or cespitose, rhizomatous, coarse. Culms trigonous, (30–)60–130 cm × 1–4(–9) mm, densely papillose, otherwise glabrous. Leaves with cross ribs prominent, V-shaped, 30–100 cm × 5–13(–20) mm, margins, keel incisive with brownish prickles, papillose throughout, margins and midribs harshly scabrid. Inflorescences: spikes 3–7, densely oblong-cylindric to ± globose, 10–28(–35) × 8–12(–15) mm; rays 5–12, 1–16 cm, densely papillose; bracts 5–12, ascending at 30–75°, flat to V-shaped, 4–50(–90) cm × 1–15 mm; rachilla deciduous, wings persistent, (0.2–)0.3–0.5(–0.6) mm. Spikelets 20–80, oblong-ellipsoid, ± terete, slightly compressed, 3–7 × 1–2(–2.7) mm; distal spikelets spreading or ascending; floral scales (2–)4–7, appressed, clear to brownish, reddish streaked, medially green, 9–11-ribbed, ovate, (2–)2.5–3.3 × 1.2–2.3 mm, apex acute, mucronate. Flowers: anthers 0.6–0.8 mm, styles 0.5–1 mm; stigmas 1–2.3 mm. Achenes brown, slightly stipitate, obovoid to broadly ellipsoid, (1.2–)1.5–1.6(–1.7) × 0.6–0.8 mm, apex apiculate, surfaces puncticulate.


Phenology: Fruiting throughout the year.
Habitat: Beaches, brackish marshes, mangrove swamps, disturbed soils, ditches, riverbanks, coastal croplands
Elevation: 0 m

Distribution

V23 329-distribution-map.jpg

Fla., Mexico, Central America, South America, w Africa.

Discussion

The papillose culms, rays, and leaves of Cyperus ligularis distinguish it from all other North American species of Cyperus.

Reports of Cyperus ligularis from California (G. C. Tucker 1993b) were based on specimens of C. owanii.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Cyperus ligularis"
Gordon C. Tucker* +, Brian G. Marcks* +  and J. Richard Carter * +
Linnaeus +
Fla. +, Mexico +, Central America +, South America +  and w Africa. +
Beaches, brackish marshes, mangrove swamps, disturbed soils, ditches, riverbanks, coastal croplands +
Fruiting throughout the year. +
Syst. Nat. ed. +
W2 +  and Illustrated +
Mariscus rufus +
Cyperus ligularis +
Cyperus subg. Cyperus +
species +