C. curvulus Boeck. in Linnaea 35: 541. 1868; C. effusus Rottb., Descr. Pl. Rar.: 16. 1772; C. conglomeratus Rottb. var. effusus (Rottb.) Kük. in Engler, Pflanzenr. IV.20, 101: 275. 1936; R.R.Stewart, l.c. 87. 1972; C. conglomeratus Rottb. var. socotranus Balf. fil. in Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb. 12: 411. 1884; Rottb., Descr. & Icon.: Tab. 12, fig. 3. 1773.

Tufted perennial, 40-80 mm. Stem c. 1 mm diam., obtusely trigonous, base slightly swollen. Leaf-sheaths up to 20 mm, yellow-brown or grey-brown; blades up to 70 mm, 1-2 mm wide, falcate or even curled. Inflorescence a single cluster of digitately arranged spikes, sometimes single spike; bracts up to 15 mm, longer than inflorescence; cluster of spikes 8-20 x c. 28 mm, conical, of 1-10(-11) spikes; spikes 8-20 x 2-3.5 mm, compressed to almost terete, with 12-30 glumes; rachis 0.5-0.7 mm wide; glumes 3-4 mm, cymbiform, with rounded back, mucro 0.2-0.3 mm, sides grey, yellowish or reddish brown, adaxial (inner) side reddish, margins scarious. Anther c. 2 mm. Nut c. 1.5 x 0.7-1.2 mm, obovoid, trigonous, plano-convex or adaxial side concave, yellowish to brown.

Fl. Per.: Sept.-June.

Lectotype: Saudi Arabia, near Jedda, Un. it., Schimper 810 (B!) (Kukkonen, l. c. 32: 158. 1995).

On rocks and dry slopes; Distribution: Coastal areas from Red Sea east to Pakistan.

The records from Pakistan may require confirmation.