Click the number at the start of a key lead to highlight both that lead and its corresponding lead. Click again to show only the two highlighted leads. Click a third time to return to the full key with the selected leads still highlighted.

Click images to enlarge and show more photo credit.

Key to Bulbostylis

Cyperaceae

Bulbostylis

Copy permalink to share

(c) Ward, Scott G
1 Spikelets sessile, the inflorescence therefore a capitate cluster (sometimes a few spikelets pedicellate, but the pedicels not generally longer than the spikelets, the inflorescence still appearing glomerate).
(c) Ward, Scott G
  2 Inflorescence bracts widened abruptly at its base, the widened portion prominently fimbriate-pectinate; perennial, culms 10-50 cm tall; achene 1-1.3 mm long, white or yellowish, the apex retuse (the three lobes projecting beyond and surrounding the tubercle)
(c) Horn, Jay
  2 Inflorescence bracts not widened abruptly at its base, the membranous margins smooth or ciliate; annual, culms 5-35 cm tall; achene 0.5-1.2 mm long, pale brown or gray, the apex rounded or truncate (the three lobes not exceeding the tubercle).
(c) Horn, Jay
    3 Inflorescence bracts numerous and conspicuous, several much exceeding the cluster of spikelets; achenes 0.8-1.2 mm long, transversely rugose; spikelet scales usually greenish or pale brown, dull, puberulent
(c) Bradley, Keith
    3 Inflorescence bracts few and inconspicuous, none or sometimes one exceeding the cluster of spikelets (and then only slightly); achenes 0.5-0.6 mm long, finely reticulate; spikelet scales usually reddish-brown, lustrous, smooth or nearly so
(c) Bradley, Keith
1 Spikelets mostly on slender pedicels, the inflorescence therefore open and umbel-like.
(c) Flood, Melanie
      4 Achenes finely transversely rugose or rugulose, tan or brown (when ripe); spikelet scales 1.5-2.5 mm long, with truncate to apiculate apices.
        5 Achenes rugose; plants with a soft base, annual; anthers ca. 0.6 mm long; [collectively widespread]
        5 Achenes rugulose and also papillate; plants with a hardened base, perennial; anthers ca. 1 mm long; [e. TX westwards and southwestwards]
(c) Horn, Jay
      4 Achenes very finely papillose and waxy, gray or dark greenish-brown (when ripe); spikelet scales 0.7-1.8 mm long, with obtuse to rounded apices.
          6 Annual, to 1-2 (-3) dm tall; inflorescence a simple (rarely compound) umbel of few (3-9) lance-ovoid spikelets; longest involucral bract seldom exceeding the inflorescence; leaf margins usually hispidulous
          6 Perennial, to 1.5-4 dm tall; inflorescence a compound (rarely simple) umbel of many (8-30) oblong or lance-linear spikelets; longest involucral bract commonly exceeding the inflorescence; leaf margins usually distinctly tuberculate-scabrid