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

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Spikelet usually falling away as unit at maturity leaving the two empty glumes and a knob or protuberance on the rhachis; glumes usually persistent

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Spikelets less than 20 per spike, linear-terete or subulate. Glumes distant, not or scarcely keeled. Nut c. two-thirds as long as the glume, brown or black

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Spikelets more than 20 per spike. Spikes ± dense