Gray’s sedge

Cyperus filiculmis Vahl var. grayi (Torrey) Boeckeler; C. filiculmis var. oblitus Fernald & Griscom

Herbs, perennial, cespitose, rhizomatous. Culms basally cormlike, trigonous, 5–40 cm × 0.5–1.3 mm, glabrous. Leaves V-shaped, 5–25 cm × 1–3 mm, slightly minutely scabridulous abaxially on margins, midrib. Inflorescences: spikes loosely ± globose, 6–20 mm wide; rays 1–8 cm; rachis 1–4 mm; bracts 3–8, ascending, V-shaped, 3–20 cm × 1–3 mm; rachilla deciduous, wings hyaline, 0.6 mm wide. Spikelets 3–18(–28), oblong-lanceoloid, compressed, 3–12 × 1.8–2.5 mm; floral scales deciduous, 2–11, yellowish brown to reddish brown, laterally 3–4-ribbed, ovate, 2–2.8 × 1.6–2.2 mm, apex mucronulate. Flowers: anthers 0.7–1 mm; styles 0.4–0.6 mm; stigmas 1–2 mm. Achenes dark brown, ± stipitate, ellipsoid, 1.5–2 × 0.7–1 mm, apex obtuse, apiculate surfaces glabrous or puncticulate. 2n = 166.

Fruiting summer. Coastal dunes, well-drained woods, railroad yards; 0–200 m; Conn., Del., Ga., Md., Mass., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., R.I., S.C., Va.