Sedge Buster Part 2 Lesson 3

Whoa! While going through the sheets, starting with a, I came upon several spelled Cyperus aristatus. But then I did some checking and found that Cyperus aristatus is now spelled Cyperus squarrosus. But then I checked some more, and in C&Js key, where both are included, there are major differences spelled. To whit, aristatus has one stamen and no wings on the rachilla while squarrosus has three stamens and is winged. Furthermore, aristatus is an annual and squarrosus is a perennnial. Whut happened to the squarrosus specimens with these characters? Alas, I lack the means of solving that riddle without leaving the relative safety of the CB.

By the way, counting flat sedge stamens can be onerous because depending on the maturity of the specimen, the stamens may have disappeared. So its' best to get a younger plant if you intend on counting the stamens. Also, stamens in flat sedges are generally very small so you will definitely need a microscope if you want to count them.

So here is a picture of what is now called C. squarrosus. Featured is one cluster of florets. A half dozen of those florets have one stamen each. I like this one because of the interesting, sharply reflexed scale tips. Its distrubution is cosmopolitan, so you are apt to find it, anywhere.