Distribution:  Worldwide

Synonym: Scirpus pungens Vahl

Habitat: Freshwater to brackish shores and marshes

Recognition: Notch in scales > 0.5 mm; awns mostly > 0.5 mm; distal leaf blade usually longer than the sheath; sides of triangular culm flat or shallowly concave

The other species with smooth triangular stems, S. americanus, has notch in scales < 0.5 mm; awns mostly < 0.6 mm; distal leaf blade usually shorter than the sheath