Distribution: Widespread in North America and beyond

Habitat:  Varied wet habitats

Recognition:  With 2 styles.  Spikelets > 2 mm wide (vs. narrower in C. polystachyos). The achene with elongate rectangular cells

Key to similar species:

1. Achene much longer than wide; spikelets 1.3-1.6(2) mm wide…C. polystachyos (common and variable, the spikelets extremely variable in length)

1. Achene ellipsoid or ovate; spikelets > 2 mm wide…2

2. Mature achene black or brown, the surface covered with elongate cells…C. flavescens

2. Mature achene brown, the surface covered with square cells…C lanceolatus

FL status: Native