Cyperus L.

Culms distinctly 3-angular Cyperus
Style 3-fid. Nut almost equally 3-angular
Spikelets arranged spicately on the rhachis of the ultimate branches of the inflorescence in the form of very short or ± elongated spikes. Rhachilla of spikelet bordered by hyaline wings, but these are sometimes deciduous
Flowers falling from spikelet leaving persistent rhachilla; glumes usually falling away individually at maturity
Spikelets very numerous, more than 20 per spike
Spikelets less than 20 per spike.