Cyperus retrofractus (Linnaeus) Torrey. Common name: Rough Flatsedge. Phenology: Jul-Sep. Habitat: Dry sandy or rocky woodlands and fields. Distribution: NJ west to s. OH, and se. MO, south to FL, GA, AL, and TX.
ID notes: C. lancastriensis is occasionally confused with this species, which, unlike other members of the C. retrofractus complex, often has multiple fertile scales; C. lancastriensis has spikelets reflexed only in the proximal half of the spike, lacking prolonged, involute terminal scales, and oblong-falcate (vs. narrowly oblong and straight) achenes.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: See Carter and Jarvis (1986) for clarification of nomenclature.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, FNA23, K4, Mo1, NS, Pa, POWO, Tn, Tx, Va, WH3; = Cyperus dipsaciformis Fernald — F, RAB, S, Tat, W; = Cyperus retrofractus (L.) Torr. var. dipsaciformis (Fernald) Kük. — G; Scirpus retrofractus Linnaeus. Basionym: Scirpus retrofractus L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Cyperus retrofractus - FNA23
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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