Family – Cyperaceae
Stems:
Base of plant.
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Flowering – June – October.
Habitat – Dry, open pinelands, sandhills, fields.
Origin – Native to North America.
Other information – This species can be found in just a handful of Alabama counties that contain its sandy habitat. The plant can be identified by its habitat, capitate, globose cluster of compressed spikelets, and its very thin leaves. The rhizomes of this species are short and knotty.
The genus name Cyperus is from the Greek “cyper(us)” meaning “a rush or sedge.”
The species epithet lupulinus derives from the Latin “lupul(us)” meaning “the hop plant” probably referring to the compressed spikelets which slightly resemble hops.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Fort Benning, GA., 8-11-05.