Scirpus lateriflorus J.F. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1: 127. 1791; R. R. Stewart, l.c. 202; Schoenoplectus supinus (L.) Palla subsp. lateriflorus (J.F. Gmel.) T. Koyama in H. Hara & al., Enum. Flow. Pl. Nepal 1: 119. 1978; Scirpus lateralis Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 12. 1786 non Forsskål 1775. Isolepis oryzetorum ["oryectorum"] Steudel, Synopsis pl. Cyperac.: 96. 1855. Scirpus oryzetorum (Steud.) Ohwi in Mem. Coll. Sci. Kyoto Imp. Univ., Ser. B, 18(1): 112. 1943. Schoenoplectus oryzetorum (Steud.) V. Krecz., in Ovcz., Fl. Tadjik. SSR, 2: 41. 1963. Scirpus supinus L. var. uninodis auct., C.B. Clarke in Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind., 6: 656. 1893; not based on Isolepis uninodis Del. 1813. - Ovczinnikov, Fl. Tadjikskoi SSR, 2: Tab. 8, figs. 7-9. 1963. Koyama, Fl. of Taiwan, 5: Pl. 1323. 1979.

Annual, forming small tufts, 20-30 cm. Roots fibrous, short. Stem 4-23 cm, c. 0.5 mm diam., angular or almost terete, finely papillose, glaucous green, lowest internode often elongated. Sheaths usually 2, upper up to 80 mm, mouth oblique, with wide scarious margin; ligule c. 0.5 mm, scarious; blades normally c. 5 mm, narrow, obtusely pointed, sometimes elongated, up to 10 cm. Inflorescence a compact group of 1-3 spikes, up to c. 10 mm diam., or small multiple spike; lowest bract sometimes more than 10 cm, often next higher bract also elongated, up to c. 15 mm; primary branches 0, or occasionally 1, e.g. 3 mm. Spikes 4-10 x 2-4 mm, ellipsoid or ovoid; glumes 2.3-2.6 mm, cymbiform, apex rounded, mid-nerve area green, smooth, slightly keeled, mucro up to 0.5 mm, sides obscurely nerved, yellowish brown or brown, margins widely scarious. Perianth bristles 0; stamens 3, anther c. 2 mm; stigmas 3. Nut 1.3-1.4 x 1.1 mm, obovoid, shallowly apiculate, trigonous, plano-convex, transversely rugulose, finally dark brown, glossy.

Fl. Per.: August - September.

Type: "In Zeylona lectum dedit Clar. König" (LD).

In monsoon area; rice fields; Distribution: From Afghanistan to Taiwan through Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to Malaysia.