Cyperus cuspidatus Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 204 1817. (Syn: Cyperus angustifolius Schumach.; Cyperus angustifolius Nees [Illegitimate]; Cyperus capitatus Retz. [Illegitimate]; Cyperus contractus Steud.; Cyperus cuspidatus f. angustifolius Kük.; Cyperus cuspidatus var. burchellii C.B.Clarke; Cyperus cuspidatus f. exiguus (Nees) Kük.; Cyperus exiguus Nees [Invalid]; Cyperus gratus C.B.Clarke; Cyperus hamatus Schrad. ex Nees; Cyperus hamulatus Kunth; Cyperus recurvatus Willd. ex Kunth; Cyperus recurvus Vahl; Cyperus salzmannii Steud.; Cyperus setifolius D.Don; Cyperus solutus Steud.; Cyperus uncinatus Poir.; Cyperus uncinatus C.B. Clarke; Cyperus uncinatus var. gratus (C.B.Clarke) Kük.; Cyperus waterloti Cherm.; Dichostylis cuspidata (Kunth) Palla) ?;
Rhizome short. Culms 10-20 cm high, densely tufted. Leaves 5-10 x 0.1-0.2 cm, linear, folded; sheath keeled, closed, glabrous. Umbel 4 x 4 cm, compound; rays 3, secondary rays absent; bracts 3, unequal, longest 10 x 0.2 cm; spikes 1.2 x 0.8 cm, ovoid, oblong or globose. Spikelets 40-50 in a spike, ovate, 10-flowered; glumes 2 x 1 mm, lanceolate, keeled, curved; arista 1.5-2 mm long. Nut obovoid, obtuse, pale brown, smooth.
Flowering and fruiting: July-November
Rocky areas in grasslands
Pantropical
The most remarkable feature of this small cyperus (1 to 2.5 inches) is its very long bracts.
I think it is Cyperus cuspidatus Kunth. and I may very well be wrong.
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