Taperleaf Flatsedge (Cyperus acuminatus)
- Family: Sedge (Cyperaceae)
- Flowering: June-October.
- Field Marks: This species is distinguished by its spikelets, which are in compact, spherical masses, by its flat spikelets, its annual growth form, and its generally short stature.
- Habitat: Along rivers and streams, around lakes and ponds, fallow fields, sandy banks.
- Habit: Annual herb with fibrous roots.
- Stems: Erect, slender, smooth, usually longer than the leaves, up to 15 inches tall.
- Leaves: Elongated, narrow, smooth, usually pale green, up to 1/12 inch broad.
- Flowers: Borne in spikelets, each flower subtended by a scale; spikelets several in a compact, spherical mass, flat, oblong, up to 1/3 inch long.
- Scales: Oblong, straw-colored to pale green, pointed at the slightly recurved tip.
- Sepals: 0.
- Petals: 0.
- Stamens: 1.
- Pistils: Ovary superior; style 3-cleft.
- Fruits: Achenes triangular, oblong, tapering to each end, gray, half as long as the scale.
- Notes: The achenes are eaten by waterfowl.
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