Scirpus umbellaris Lam., Tab. Encycl. Meth. 1: 141. March 1791; Scirpus globulosus Retz., Obs. Bot. 6: 19. July-Nov. 1791; Fimbristylis globulosa (Retz.) Kunth, Enum. 2: 231. 1837; F. globulosa var. vicaryi Clarke, in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 6: 645. 1893.

Tufted perennial, 20-50(-120) cm. Rhizome short. Stem 1-5 mm diam, obtusangular, smooth. Cauline leaves reduced to blade-less, obliquely truncate sheaths; ligule absent; blades of basal leaves flat or canaliculate, c. 1.5 mm wide. Inflorescence a small or compound anthelodium, to 10 cm, with to 40 spikes; bracts to 1 cm; primary branches to 10, to 5 cm; spikes 4-8 x 3-4 mm, globose or ovoid, terete, obtuse, rachilla narrowly winged; glumes 2-2.7 mm, ovate, with rounded apex and margins widely hyaline. Stamens 2-3, anthers c. 0.5 mm; stigmas 3(-2). Nut 0.7-1 x 0.6-0.8 mm, trigonous (or biconvex), verruculose.

Type: Not indicated in the protologue. C.B.Clarke (in J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 34: 67. 1898) reports it from banks of Chenab.

Marshes; Distribution: From Sri Lanka and Pakistan to S. China, Japan, to Malesia and the Pacific islands.

Description is modified from that by Kern, in Fl. Malesiana 7,3: 551 (1974; as F. globulosa). The name F. umbellaris was shown to antedate F. globulosa by Koyama in Fl. of Ceylon 5: 303 (1985), however, Koyama does not refer to a type specimen in P-Herb. Lamarck.