Best recognition factors

Stems triangular, scales of spikelet with a long awn extending beyond

apex of scale.  Spikelets 1–5(–10); perianth bristles very stout to

slender, unequal or equal, equaling achene to rudimentary, retrorsely spinulose;

Ecology

Fresh to brackish shores, marshes, lakes, fens, often emergent in water to 0.7 m; 0–2400 m;

Cyperaceae

Fruiting spring–summer (south), summer (north).

Flowers: perianth members 4–8, sometimes fewer, brown, bristlelike,

variably slender to stout, equal or unequal, all equaling achene body

to all rudimentary, retrorsely spinulose; anthers 2–3 mm; styles 2–3-fid.

Herbs, annual

Culms sharply trigonous, sides convex to concave proximally,

deeply concave to flat distally, 0.1-2m x 1-6mm, smooth

Inflorescences capitate; proximal bract usually erect, resembling leaf blade

but trigonous proximally, (1–)3–20 cm. Spikelets 1–5(–10), 5–23 × 3–5(–7) mm;

scales bright (to very dark) orange-, red-brown, or purplish brown to

straw-colored, often prominently lineolate-spotted, midrib mostly paler,

ovate, 3.5–6 × 2–3 mm, smooth or awn sparsely spinulose, margins deciduously

ciliolate, flanks ribless except sometimes proximal scales, midrib prominent,

apex acute (to obtuse), 2-fid, notch (0.3–)0.5–1 mm deep, awn mostly irregularly

bent, 0.5–1.5(–2.5) mm.

Leaves basal, sheath fronts membranous distally, orifice adaxially truncate

to concave, often splitting; ligules 2-fid, 1 mm; blades 2–6, proximally

V-shaped, distally trigonous to asymmetrically laterally flattened in cross

section, angles often scabridulous distally; distal blade (1–)2–5 times as

long as sheath, 50–750 × 2–9 mm.

Flora of North America Volume 23

Schoenoplectus pungens (Vahl) Palla

-- Merge record --

Schoenoplectus pungens (Vahl) Palla

Scirpus pungens