Distribution:  South-central U.S. to South America

Habitat:  Varied moist habitats

Recognition: Leaf blades 1-2 mm long.  Spikelets 2.5-3 mm long (usually > 3.5 mm in the similar R. fascicularis). Achene small: 1.5 mm long (vs. 2 mm in R. fascicularis), smooth, bristles longer than tubercle (vs. shorter in R. fernaldii and in R. fascicularis).  Tubercle 0.4-0.6 mm long.

Florida status:  Native