Scirpus michelianus L., Sp. Pl. 52. 1753; C.B.Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 6: 662. 1893; Dichostylis micheliana (L.) Nees, Linnaea 9: 289. 1835; Kükenthal, Cyperaceae-Scirpoideae-Cypereae, in Engler, Pflanzenr. IV,20, 101: fig. 35: A-E. 1936. Madalski, Fl. Polon. Terr. Adiac. Icon. 3, 1: fig. 249a. 1979.

Tufted annual, 3-10 cm. Roots fibrous. Stem trigonous, grooved, smooth. Leaves basal or subbasal, as long as the stem; sheaths to 25 mm, soft, grey or brownish grey, mouth margin slightly concave; blades 1-1.5 mm wide, keeled, folded, smooth, grey green, apex slightly scabrous. Inflorescence a globose head, 7-12 mm diam., lower part with several short branches, upper part unbranched, spikes on rachis and branches numerous, compactly spirally arranged; bracts 5-6, up to 70 mm, spreading; spike 1.5-2.5 x 0.8-1.5 mm, with 20-30 3-ranked, spirally arranged glumes; glumes 2-2.5 mm, lowest sterile, up to 2.8 mm, narrowly cymbiform, greyish brown, keeled, apiculate, apex slightly recurved. Stamens 1-2, stigmas 2. Nut c. 0.8 x c. 0.3 mm, bi-convex or plano-convex, ellipsoid or parallel-sided, finely reticulate.

Fl. Per.: September - October.

Type: "Habitat in Italia rarius". Reported from Kashmir by C.B.Clarke (l.c.) and Kükenthal, l.c. and by R.R.Stewart (l.c.) from Lahore and Sind.

In alluvial river shores on clay and sand; Distribution: From Algeria, C and S Europe to Turkey and Caucasus, E to to Altai Mts., Far East and China, S to Vietnam, N India and Pakistan; disjunct in Iraq.