Cyperus esculentus var. lutesceus (Torrey & Hooker) Kükenthal; C. esculentus var. sprucei C. B. Clarke; C. lutescens Torrey & Hooker; C. ruficomus Buckley

Spikelets divaricate, forming 75–90° angle with rachis, 10–40 × 2.4–3 mm; floral scales ovate, widest at midlength, (2.7–)2.9–3.4(–3.6) × (1.8–)1.9–2.3(–2.4) mm. Flowers: anthers (1.2–)1.3–2(–2.1) mm; styles (0.9–)1.3–2(–2.2) mm; stigmas (2–)2.3–2.8(–4) mm.

Fruiting summer. Dunes, disturbed soils, croplands; 0–200 m; Calif., Fla., Ga., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., S.C., Tex.; Mexico; Central America; South America.