Sedge Buster Part 2 - Cyperus - Lesson 2

All righty then sedge busters. This is an important lesson. But aren't they all? However, this one features the most common flat sedge in these parts, Cyperus odoratus. This is the one in all the Cyperus keys where the spikelet disarticulates into its several florets at maturity. But the problem is, how could you ever see this. If its not mature, it won't be disarticualting. And if it is mature, the parts will be gone. So whut the heck is a sedge buster to do. Ha! The Crumby Ovate is here to save the day, pictorially. Plus, if ye pay attention, ye will always be able to sight identify this very common flat sedge in the field. But if ye don't pay attention, this one will appear to ye much like many of the rest of them, and ye will collect it, again and again and again, etc.

So. Here we have a picture somewhere with several parts labeled. There's an achene depicted for one thing. Note: To get at flat sedge achenes, all you have to do is pull down on its scale, and if there's an achene under the scale, ye shall assuredly espy it directly, for flat sedges have no peryginia surronding the achene. Alas, though, many of the scales will be infertile and lack any achene at all.

Now please direct yer visage to the floret node spell. The lines go to two nodes. These are hardened protuberances on the spikelet rachis. You can see these in the field and no other flat sedge ye are likely to encounter has these big hardened nodes. So if you see these nodes, you will know it's Cyperus odoratus. Those nodes are where the spikelet falls apart.

Ah yes. C. odoratus is typical of most of the Cyperus in that it sports more or less trigonous achenes with three stigmas on the style.

Yahoo! Uh oh! It's the fair Rayetta come to visit perchance.

Crumby, may I see your rattite bone?

No! Only the holiest of us holies can handle that particular bone without bursting into flame.

I don't wish to handle it Crumby, I just wish to gaze upon it from a safe distance.

Er. All righty then. But ye cain't touch it.

Hmmm. Why does it smell like magic marker?

No it don't.

How would you know whether it does or not Crumby? You can't smell anything ever.

I can too smell, sometimes.

Hardly ever, and this smells like magic marker, to me.

Well it's not magic marker. Obviously, Jesus didn't have any magic markers.

He didn't? Well what in the world do you think he wrote the message with Crumby?

Er. He probably used squid ink.

Squid ink! Are there squids in the Sea of Galilee, do you think, Crumby?

Yes Rayetta. There are, maybe. Er, probably they used to be there, but now they have gone extinct in those parts, maybe. The Simites may have et them all.

Hmmm. Interesting. Well I am sure that this rattite bone proves you are a living relative of Jesus. Thank you for allowing me to gaze upon this marvelous bone. Bye.

Uh oh.