Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb.
Family: Cyperaceae

Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)

Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Endl. ex Hassk.

Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)

green kyllinga

Primary Disseminule Type

spikelet (i.e., fruit surrounded by floral bracts)

Description (diagnostics are in brown)

Spikelet oblong-lanceolate, strongly compressed, (2)2.5–2.8(3.2) mm long x (0.6)0.7–0.8(1.2) mm wide, consisting of 2 principle floral bracts subtending and enclosing the fruit (additional smaller bracts may be lower or higher on the axis).

Principle floral bracts elliptic to ovate, 1.8–3 mm long x (0.8)1.1–1.6 mm wide, membranous (sides transparent), pale greenish-white or light reddish-brown, 2–3 lateral veins each side of midvein, midvein prominent, toothed, apex mucronate, deciduous with fruit.

Fruit an achene, typically short-stalked (stalk whitish, 0.1–0.2 mm long), elliptic to oblong-elliptic in outline, compressed, 1–1.2(1.3) mm long x 0.6–0.8 mm wide x ca. 0.3 mm thick. Surface glabrous, shiny, an iridescent, semi-transparent, honeycombed layer sometimes remaining on top of a light to medium brown, papillate layer. Apex obtuse to subtruncate, apiculate (when not broken off).

Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)

AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI