Cyperus multispiceus R.Booth, D.J.Moore & Hodgon

Booth, R., Moore, D.J, & Hodgon, J. (2009) Austrobaileya 8(1): 42-43. Type: T: Queensland. Cook District: Cotterell River, 13 km S of Vrilya Point, J.R.Clarkson 9882 & V.J.Neldner.

Plants robust, perennial, glabrous.

Leaves 80-120 cm long, 6-15 mm wide. Culms triquetrous, striate 39-76 cm long, 1.4-3.3 mm wide; bases thickened by split, fibrous sheaths.

Inflorescence decompound, 10-20 cm long, 12-20 cm wide, diffuse. Spikes 20-80, 10-20 cm long, with 6-10 spikelets. Spikelets 10-20 mm long, 10-40 flowered. Glumes 2-3 mm long. Stamens 3.

Nut obovoid, trigonous, faces concave to flat, 1.1-1.7 mm long x 0.7-1 mm wide, brown to golden brown.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ, from Palmerston N.P. in NEQ north to Cape York in CYP (Booth et al, 2009). Altitudinal range uncertain but possibly mostly near sea level. Grows on margins of rainforest and amongst riparian and semi-deciduous vine forest on coarse sandy loams.

This species is named for the large number of spikes in the inflorescence, a feature which distinguished it from closely related species such as Cyperus pedunculosus.