Bulbostylis barbata (Rottb.) C.B.Clarke

Clarke, C.B. in Hooker, J.D. (1894) The Flora of British India 6: 651.

Watergrass

Tufted sedge with glabrous stems 5-30 cm tall.

Leaves shorter than the stems and curve downwards; leaf sheath with long white hairs; lamina longitudinally ridged.

Inflorescence capitate, with 3-20 spikelets, 5-15 mm across; involucral bracts 2-3, filiform, basal bract erect; spikelets sessile ovate to oblong; glumes reddish brown, strongly keeled;, keels on glomes greenish, margins of glumes toothed in the upper half, mucro on glumes curved outwards; stigma shorter than the style.

Seed triquetrous, obovate in outline, very smooth and white to cream coloured, 0.5-0.75 mm long.

Features not available.

Occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 580 m. Grows in sclerophyll forest, open forest, deciduous vine thicket, riverbeds, dune scrub and woodland. Widely distributed over the warm parts of the Old World, also in USA.

Can occur as a pioneer plant in disturbed areas.