Scirpus schoenoides Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 14. 1789; Haines & Lye, Sedges and Rushes E. Afr.: figs. 150-151. 1983.

Annual or perennial, 25-50 cm. Stem slender, terete or compressed, deeply grooved, grey-green. Leaves c. 1/2 of stem length; sheaths to 12 cm, brown, two uppermost longer than other, tight, mouth straight or oblique; ligule c. 0.2 mm, a fringe of hairs, not or slightly arched; blades c. 0.7 mm wide, resembling stem, canaliculate, margins involute, apex long, flat, scabrous. Inflorescence of 1-3 spikes; peduncles to 12 mm, with tubular prophyll; bracts glume-like, 3.4-6.5 mm, incl. arista of 1-4 mm. Spikes 5.4-6.2 x 3.8-4.2 mm, with 30-35 glumes, ovoid or ellipsoid, smoothly rounded, yellow-brown; spike rachis c. 0.8 mm diam., deeply notched, winged with pieces (remnants) from glume bases, reddish brown; glumes 2.5-3 mm, cymbiform, rounded, obtuse to acute, yellowish brown, with 4-6 paler nerves on both sides, glossy. Stamens 3, anthers 0.6-0.8 mm; style caducous, flat, ciliate above, stylopodium 0.3 x 0.2 mm; stigmas 2. Nut 1.6-1.9 x 1.1-1.2 mm, incl. stipe c. 0.2 mm, obovoid, bi- finely reticulate, pale yellow brown, glossy.

Type: "Ex India misit cel. König.".

Distribution: From Pakistan and India to S. China, Taiwan, Malaysia and N. Australia; introduced to S. USA.