Teasel-flatsedge

Cyperus wrightii Britton

Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous. Culms trigonous, (30–)45–80 cm × (0.8–)1.2–2.2 mm, glabrous. Leaves flat to V-shaped, becoming trigonous apically, 15–30 cm × 0.5–3.2 mm. Inflorescences: spikes oblong-cylindric, densely spicate, ± truncate at base, (9–)12–22 × (4–)6–12 mm; rays 2–4(–5), (1.5–)2.5–6 cm; bracts 4–6, longest erect or nearly so, larger ones flat or V-shaped, smaller capillary, trigonous, 3–24 cm × 0.4–3.6 mm; rachilla ± deciduous, wings 0.2–0.4 mm wide. Spikelets (10–)20–60, oblong to linear-lanceoloid, compressed-quadrangular, 3–9 × 2–3.4 mm; floral scales deciduous, 2–4(–8), spreading, medially green, laterally stramineous, dull whitish or pale reddish brown, often red-dotted laterally, (3–)7–9-ribbed, ovate-lanceolate, (2–)2.2–2.8(–3) × (1–)1.2–1.8 mm, apex acute, weakly 3-dentate, mucro 0.2–0.6 mm, with apical tuft of crystalline prickles. Flowers: anthers 0.4–0.9 mm; styles 1–1.4 mm; stigmas 1–1.6 mm. Achenes brown, ± stipitate, broadly ellipsoid, 1.4–1.5(–1.6) × 0.8–0.9 mm, 0.1 × 0.1–0.2 mm, apex ± truncate, apiculate, surfaces papillose.

Fruiting late summer. Seepage slopes in montane forests; 1000–1500 m; Ariz., N.Mex.; Mexico.