Eriocaulon anceps Walter, Fl. Carol., 82. 1788; E. villosum Michaux; Lachnocaulon floridanum Small; L. glabrum Körnicke

Herbs, perennial, cespitose, forming domes of rosettes, 15--40 cm. Leaves narrowly to broadly linear, gradually attenuate, 2.5--6(--12) cm. Inflorescences: scape sheaths as long as leaves; scapes filiform, 0.5 mm thick distally, obscurely 4--5-ribbed, pilose from base to apex (s Florida extreme of species glabrous-scaped); mature heads whitish to pale gray, globose to short-cylindric, 4--7(--9) mm wide; receptacle densely pilose; outer involucral bracts becoming reflexed, brownish, oblong to triangular, 1--1.5 mm, apex acute or obtuse, surfaces hairy abaxially and at margins; receptacular bracts dark brown, mostly spatulate, 1.5--2 mm, apex obtuse, distally with white, club-shaped hairs. Staminate flowers: sepals 3, dark brown, narrowly spatulate, 1.5--2 mm, apex acute, abaxially with white hairs; androphore pale, narrowly club-shaped, 1.5 mm, glabrous; stamens 3, appendages 3. Pistillate flowers: sepals 3, pale, oblong to broadly linear, 2 mm (enlarging to 3 mm), apex acute, distal abaxial surface pubescent, hairs white; gynoecium 3-carpellate; stylar column pale, dilated apically, appendages 3. Seeds pale to dark brown, not lustrous, ellipsoid, 0.5--0.55 mm, longitudinal ribs conspicuous, pale, transverse ribs less conspicuous, pattern fine but coarser than in L. beyrichianum.

Flowering spring--summer. Moist sands and peats of shores, pine savanna, bog and seep edges, flatwoods clearings; 0--400 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va.; West Indies (Cuba).