Key to Scirpus
View taxon page for Scirpus
(For a list of species in Scirpus, use the above link.)
Jepson Manual glossary definitions can be seen by moving your cursor over words underlined with dots.
1. Spikelets all or many solitary, ± stalked;
perianth bristles strongly curled in
fruit 2. Perianth bristles
exceeding flower
bracts;
stem 3–5 mm diam at middle; flower
bract 
Reduced, leaf- or scale-like structure subtending a branch, cone scale, peduncle, pedicel, or flower.
midrib ± green to pale ± brown, ± obscure; fruit 0.6–0.9 mm
..... S. cyperinus 2' Perianth bristles not exceeding flower bracts; stem 0.6–3 mm diam at middle; flower bract midrib generally green, prominent; fruit 1–1.8 mm
..... S. pendulus 1' Spikelets in head-like clusters,
sessile 
Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.
; perianth bristles ± curled or curved to straight in fruit
3. Ligule present; fruit generally 2-angled;
stigmas 2(3); perianth bristles curved to straight in fruit, fine-toothed
..... S. microcarpus 3' Ligule 0; fruit generally 3-angled; stigmas 3(2); perianth bristles ± curled to straight in fruit, fine-toothed above middle
4. Perianth bristles >> fruit,
teeth generally
ascending 
Curving or angling upward from base, or about 30-60 degrees less than vertical or away from axis of attachment.
; flower bract generally ± black
..... S. congdonii 4' Perianth bristles < to > fruit, teeth generally
reflexed 
Abruptly bent or curved downward or backward.
; flower bract green to brown or ± black
..... S. diffusus
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