Cyperaceae

Leaf sheath closed or rarely open and then the perianth reduced to bristles or minute scales Cyperaceae

Flowers unisexual, female flowers enclosed in a flask-shaped utricle (Fig. 46 e,g) or in separate spikelets

Bristle absent from female flower or short and not exserted Carex

Spikes sessile or nearly so, erect to ascending in the fruiting stage. Utricle may be corky, beak 1 mm or less long

Spikes with long pedicel, usually pendulous in the fruiting stage. Utricle never corky but with a prominent beak 2 mm long or longer