Scirpus densus Wall. ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 231. 1820. Isolepis densa (Wall. ex Roxb.) Nees in Wight, Contrib. Bot. Ind. 109. 1834. B. capillaris auct., non L., var. trifida Kunth sensu C.B. Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Br. Ind. 6: 652. 1893.

Annual, (4-)10-20(-35) cm, forming small tufts. Roots fibrous. Stem 0.25-0.5 mm diam., 4-6-angled, deeply grooved, papillose between veins, smooth, grey-green. Leaves c. half of stem length, resembling stems; sheaths 5-20 mm, yellowish, grey or light brown, glabrous, soft, mouth oblique, margin fringed with hairs to 3-20 mm long; ligule 0; blades c. 0.25-0.5 mm wide, capillary, channelled, with 3 strong nerves, slightly keeled, grey-green, margin scabrous, apex long attenuate, acute. Inflorescence multiple spike or small anthelodium of (2-)3-5(-10) spikes, to 10-20(-30) x 0.5-25(-55) mm, with 1-3 branches, each mostly with a single spike, in large inflorescences occasionally secondary branches; bracts inconspicuous, lowest to 5 mm, mostly blade-less or with a narrow blade to 3 mm. Spikes 2-3.5(-8) x 1-1.5(-2.5) mm, ovoid to fusiform, brown, with 6-10(-12) glumes; glume-like bracts to 2.5 mm, incl. to 0.5 mm mucro; glumes c. 1.5-2 mm, widely cymbiform, acute, conspicuous mid-nerve and two side nerves extending to a c. 0.5 mm mucro, sides wide, nerve-less, brown, glossy, margins smooth or finely fringed. Perianth bristles 0; stamens 2, anther 0.4 mm; stigmas 3. Nut 0.9 x 0.5-0.7 mm, widely obovate, trigonous, abruptly contracted, apiculate, stipitate, sides finely reticulate, a papilla in each areole, often in transversal rows.

Type: From India.

Moist hill sides, in gravel; also as weed; Distribution: From Kashmir to Sri Lanka, China, Japan, south to Australia; also in tropical Africa.

Combination made by Handel-Mazzetti in Karsten & Schenk, l.c., is included in an introductory vegetation description on unnumbered pages.