Trianoptiles
Small, tufted annuals, often with basal spikelets hidden amongst leaf-sheaths. Culms nodeless. Leaves basal; ligule absent. Aerial inflorescence of several small clusters of spikelets or one to several solitary spikelets; lowest involucral bract leaf-like. Spikelets ± compressed, usually 2-flowered. Flowers bisexual. Glumes distichous, 3–5, the lowest 1–3 empty, the upper ones fertile; hypogynous scales 3, flat, antrorsely plumose in lower half, divided above into 2 smaller lateral lobes (occasionally absent) and 1 long central bristle-like lobe antrorsely minutely scabrous; stamens 3; style 3-fid. Nut trigonous. Basal spikelets hidden amongst leaf-sheaths, with 1 female flower, with elongated glumes, elongated 3-fid style, larger nuts, and without hypogynous bristles.
3 species, native to southern Africa; 1 introduced in Australia, apparently confined to Victoria.
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