CyPERUs.] _ CYPERACE.E. 325 
1. Cyperus uncinatus, Poir, Encyc. Method. v, 7, 247. (1806) 
Cooke, Fl. Bomb. ti, 862; Collett, Fl. Siml. 554 C. cuspidatus, 
HH, B. K, Nov. Gen et Sp. i, 204 (1815) ; F. B. I. vi, 598 ; Prain, 
Beng. Pl. 1141. 
A slender annual glabrous plant, 1} ins. to 6 ins. in height with several 
to many flowering stems. Leaves all arising from near the base 
narrowly linear, apex tapering above to an acute or acuminate apex, 
1} ins. or less in length, ;'; in. broad, sheaths pale to reddish brown, 
soon split down one side but not becoming fibrous. Each stem 
ending in a compact nearly globose head } to 2 in. in diameter of 
5 to 23 sessile spikelets, or, most often, several of the spikelets are 
replaced by branches which themselves end in heads of spikelets ; 
bracts of the principal head 3 to 6, leaf-like but usually longer. 
Spikelets 8 to 20 flowered, up to fin. long. Glumes, when spread open, 
ovate, 5 in. long, chestnut brown, keel with 3 nerves of which the 
middle one is much the most pronounced, all three unite in the upper 
part of the glume and pass into a strong outwardly curved mucro 
zs in. long. Stamens 3. Nut obovoid, sharply 3-angled and with 
3 flat faces. Style with 3 slender branches 5; in. long. 
Dehra Dun (Gammie); Saharanpur; Shahjahanpur (Duthie) ; Morad- 
abad (Thompson). Distrr. Throughout India and in most warm 
regions of the world. 
2. Cyperus difformis, LZ. Sp. Pl. 67; F. B. I. vi, 599; Prain, 
Beng. Pl. 1142 ; Collett Fl. Siml. 554. Cooke, Fl. Bomb. ii, 862, 
An erect annual glabrous herb, usually 10 to 12 ins. high but up to 
20 ins. roots numerous, fibrous, tufted. Stem-bases covered with 
loose membraneous, not fibrous sheaths. Stems finely striated 
longitudinally, smooth. Leaves usually shorter than the stem, 
about 4 in. broad, smooth, flaccid. Jnflorescence consisting of about 
3 to 6 compact heads of spikelets nearly globose, 4 to 4 in. diam. 
one or more of the heads sessile the rest rayed, rays up to 14 ins, 
long, often shorter; primary bracts 3 to 4, leaf-like but frequently 
broader. Spikelets about } in. long or less, and z; in. broad, 10-30 
flowered those with fewer flowers turgid in appearance, axis much 
flattened laterally, without wings. Glumes closely imbricate, very 
concave, about .j; in. long, more or less red on the sides, with a very 
obtuse or almost rounded apex. Stamens 1 or 2. Nut trigonous, 
obovoid, pale-brown, not much shorter than the glume ; style shorter 
than the nut, branches short, 
