Fimbristylis ferruginea (L.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 291. 1805.

Scirpus ferrugineus L., Sp. Pl. 1: 50. 1753.

Type.

Jamaica, Collector unknown s.n. [Herb. van Royen], [lectotype, designated by Adams in Cafferty and Jarvis 2004, pg. 180: L, (L0052731 image!)] .

Description.

Plant tufted, 20-50 cm tall. Culm many, irregularly angled, bladeless sheath present. Leaves shorter than culm, ligulate, 1.5-3 mm wide, margin scabrous. Involucral bracts overtopping spikelet, to 9.5 cm long. Inflorescence terminal with 4-6 spikelets, sometimes with one or two spikelets. Spikelets ovoid, 5-10 × 2-4 mm. Glumes broadly ovoid, 3-3.5 × 2.5-3 mm, puberulous apically, apiculate, vein single. Style dorsoventrally flattened, 1-1.5 mm long, apically ciliate. Stigmas 2, ciliate, slightly shorter than style. Stamens 3, double the length of the achene. Achene obovoid, biconvex, creamy, 1.2-1.5 × 1 mm, surface smooth, obscurely pitted with hexagonal cells, distinctly stipitate. (Fig. 2C).

Distribution.

Nepal (new record) and pantropical.

Ecology.

Grows in flood plains and riverbanks; 676-684 m elev.

Phenology.

Flowering in July-August; fruiting in September-December.

Specimens examined.

Nepal, Kaski: Pokhara Valley, Sita Paila, 28°10'34.29"N, 83°59'42.20"E, 684 m elev., 27 Jun 2020, P. Bhandari, R. Chapagain & A. Bhandari 20062704 (KATH); Pokhara Valley, Sita Paila, 28°10'30.92"N, 83°59'40.36"E, 676 m elev., 11 Oct 2020, P. Bhandari & A. Bhandari 20101102 (KATH); Pokhara Valley, Sita Paila, 28°10'34.29"N, 83°59'42.20"E, 684 m elev., 21 Dec 2020, P. Bhandari 20122103 (KATH) .

Note.

A few populations were observed with one or two spikelets, emulating a pseudo-lateral inflorescence appearance.