Family: Cyperaceae
Description: Perennial rhizomatous herbs, 30-50cm tall. Culms single, trigonous. Leaves reduced, sheath reddish. Spikes 5-15 mm long, 5-15 digitately arranged in lateral heads; rays absent or 1-2mm long. Bracts 1 or 2, erect, appearing as continuation of culm. Spikelets 2–7, whitish green to reddish, compressed-turgid, oblong-lanceolate 4-7 × 2-3mm. Glumes 10-15 whitish with red speckles, 1-3 ribbed. Anthers 2. Stigmas 3. Achenes gray, glossy, oblong-ellipsoid , base cuneate, apex apiculate, surfaces finely reticulate.
Habitat & location: Occasional in muddy soils. Photographed at Ananthasagaram.