Cyperus subg. Protocyperus Lye

Culms and leaves with non-Kranz anatomy (C3). Inflorescences: spikes; rachilla persistent, wingless. Spikelets borne in digitate clusters (rarely singly) or in umbellate or glomerulate heads; floral scales deciduous, 2-keeled or folded (conduplicate). Flowers: stamens 1–3; stigmas 3. Achenes trigonous, plano-convex, or terete.

Species ca. 150 (22 in the flora): worldwide.

The greatest species diversity of Cyperus subg. Pycnostachys is found in the lowland forests of Central America, South America, Africa, and Malesia.

SELECTED REFERENCE

Carter, J. R., D. K. Alexander, C. T. Bryson, and A. Lazari. 1999. The taxonomy of Cyperus virens and Cyperus drummondii (Cyperaceae) in the southeastern United States. Sida 18: 1049–1063.