Scirpus squarrosus L. Mantissa 2: 181. 1771. C.B.Clarke, l.c. 663; R.R.Stewart, l.c. 103. Isolepis squarrosa (L.) Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. 1: 202. 1815. Rikliella squarrosa (L.) J. Raynal in Adansonia, ser. 2, 13: 154. 1973.

Caespitose annual or, possibly, perennial, 10-45 cm. Stem obtusely angular to nearly terete. Leaves shorter than stem; sheaths soft; ligule 0; blades up to 3 mm wide. Inflorescence a compact group of sessile clusters of spikes; bracts 1.5-3.5(-5) cm, the lowest mostly erect as extension of stem and, accordingly, inflorescence pseudo-lateral; clusters of spikes 4-5 x 2-3.7 mm, globular to ovoid, compact, each supported by a bract and a prophyll. Spikes more than 100, bracts c. 1.5 mm, including arista, lamina obtrullate, reddish brown, arista up to 0.8 mm, white, squarrose; glumes 0. Stigmas 3(-4); anthers 1-2. Nut 0.5 x 0.3 mm, obovoid, trigonous, often curved, reticulate, areole nearly smooth.

Fl. Per.: August.

Type: India, König.

In open places, in moist sand, probably also as a weed; Distribution: From Pakistan and India to China and Vietnam.

Reported from Sind and Punjab (R.R.Stewart, l.c.). Although the spike of L. squarrosa looks like a bisexual flower, i.e. it does not include the hypogynous glumes found in most other species of the genus, e.g. the shape of the glume-like bracts fit well to the genus Lipocarpha.