K. metzii Hochst. ex Steud., Syn. Glumac. 2: 70. 1855. Cyperus metzii (Steud.) C. B. Clarke, Ill. Cyper.: tab. 1, 5-7. 1909; Mattf. & Kük., in Engler, Pflanzenr. IV.20, 101: 612. 1936. R.R.Stewart, l.c. 90; U. Scholz, in H. Scholz & U. Scholz, Fl. Cypér. Gramin. Togo: fig. 15. 1983.

Annual, 5-18 cm. Rootsystem small. Stem c. 1 mm diam. sharply trigonous, smooth. Leaves equalling stem length; sheaths, up to 50 mm, soft, scarious, reddish-veined, mouth margin straight; blades up to 13 cm, 3 mm wide, soft, flexuous, flat, grey-green, margins smooth, apex acute, flat or trigonous, scabrous. Inflorescence a globose, not very compact, brownish cluster of 50 - 100 spikes; 3-4 bracts foliose, up to 15 cm, spreading; spikes 5.5-6 x c. 1 mm, with pedicel c. 0.5 mm, narrowly ovoid, slightly curved; glume-like bract c. 1 mm, narrow, scarious; in a spike (1-)2 flowers, concealed between two opposite scales (glumes), the upper pair small and the flower usually sterile, the lower pair of glumes folded and keeled, midrib green, long acuminate, crested and crest with conspicuous teeth, sides scarious, finely nerved. Stamens 3. Nut 3.5-4 mm, ovoid, compressed, brown, finely reticulate and papillose.

Fl. Pr.: August - September.

Type: Ghana: 'Habitat [Danish] Guinea'. Thonning (C-herb.) Vahl cf. Kükenthal, l.c.: 613, 1936.

Among grasses in moist ravines, alt. 4000-6000 ft; Distribution: In Tropical Africa S to Angola, Mozambique and Madagascar; India, Pakistan; introduced to Caucasus and W. Indies (Martinique).