Scirpus subg. Trichophorum (Pers.) Ohwi, Mem. Coll. Sci. Kyoto Imp. Univ., Ser. B, 17.1(1): 95. 1943, non Torrey 1836. Scirpus sect. Trichophorum (Pers.) Asch. & Graebn., Synopsis Mitteleur. Fl. 2(2): 298. 1903. non Darlington 1855. Eriophorum L. subg. Lachnophori (Pers.) F. Nylander, Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn. 3(1): 5. 1846. Baeothryon auct., non Dietrich 1833; type Scirpus caespitosus L., sel. Börner, Abh. Naturw. Ver. Bremen 21. 1913. Eriophorella Holub in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 19: 96. 1984.

Caespitose perennials, 4-40 cm, or rhizome ascending, emitting short stolons or tillers. Stem obtusely trigonous or terete. Leaves basal, reduced, blades seldom longer than 20 mm. Inflorescence single terminal spike, with up to c. 10 spirally arranged glumes, the lowest longer than others, sterile. Flowers bisexual, perianth bristles 0 or 4-6, to 15 mm, smooth, stamens 3, stigmas 3. Nut 1-2.5 mm, trigonous.

The genus contains c. 8 species, distributed in N. hemisphere; represented in Pakistan by only one species.

Lower Taxon

• Trichophorum pumilum (Vahl) Schinz & Thellung