Bolboschoenus fluviatilis
(Torr.) SojákRhizomatous perennial. Culms 100–200 cm high, 5–10 mm diam. Leaves recurved above, 7–11 mm wide. Inflorescence with 6–9 branches 2–10 cm long, bearing clusters of 1–6 spikelets; involucral bracts 15–25 cm long, 3–6 mm wide. Spikelets 1–2.5 cm long; glumes yellow-brown, 6–7 mm long, plus awn 1.5–3 mm long; hypogynous bristles about as long as nut, usually persistent; style 3-fid. Nut equally trigonous, with dorsal angle acute, pale yellow or grey and dull to blackish and shining, minutely (but often obviously) reticulate, 3–4 mm long, 1.5–2 mm diam. Flowers spring–summer.
VVP, VRiv, GipP, Gold, CVU, NIS, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF. Also SA (naturalised), Qld, NSW, NI, ACT, Vic. New Zealand, Asia, North America. Scattered and rather uncommon, chiefly in the east (one western record near Streatham), occurring in shallow water on lake margins and in open swamps.
Differs from the other species in its relatively narrow nut with bristles about as long as nut and persistent.
Wilson, K.L. (1994). Cyperaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 238–356. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
