Cyperus echinatus (L.) Alph. Wood

Hedgehog Club Rush

© DETenaglia

Family - Cyperaceae

Stems - No info. yet.

	Base of the plant.
© DETenaglia

Leaves - No info. yet.

	Leaf sheath.
© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

© DETenaglia

Flowers - No info. yet.

	Flowers close-up.
© DETenaglia

Flowering - June - September.

Habitat - Upland prairies, sand prairies, glades, dry upland forests, pastures, disturbed sites, gravel bars, roadsides, railroads.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This common little species can be found mainly in the southern half of Missouri but has also been found in the extreme northeast corner of the state. The plant can be identified by its globose flower clusters, red base, and short, knotty rhizomes. No other species of Cyperus in Missouri has such tight, globose flower clusters. The long bracts which subtend the inflorescence are a good character to look for also.
Like nearly all other species in this family, this plant has 3-sided (triangular) stems.
"echinate" means "spiny" in reference to the globose flower clusters in this case.

Photographs taken at the Holly Ridge Conservation Area, Stoddard County, MO., 6-14-03, and at Logan Creek, Reynolds County, MO., 6-29-03.