Scleria ciliata Michx.

FRINGED NUTRUSH

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Material in Florida commonly has three tubercles at the base of the achene. The tubercles are sometimes bilobed, sometimes deeply so. Smaller achenes with six tubercles have been treated as S. pauciflora (Reznicek et al. in FNA, vol. 23). This treatment provisionally includes S. pauciflora, following McVaugh (1993). Smoother achenes have been referred to as S. bellii. Kessler (1987) stated that "Five hundred specimens of S. ciliata and 300 specimens of S. pauciflora were examined in this study. Achene size and tuberculation varied in both species with much overlapping of characteristics being observed. Achene tuberculation varies in S. ciliata from three relatively large distinct tubercles per achene to three deeply 2-lobed tubercles to six smaller distinct tubercles, while achenes of S. pauciflora have six distinct tubercles. Achene size in S. ciliata varies from 1.5-3.0 mm, while achenes of S. pauciflora vary from 1-2.5 mm. The intergradation of achene size and tuberculation make it difficult, if not impossible, to determine some specimens based solely on an examination of achenes. Scales, pubescence, culm length, and culm diameter also intergrade between the two taxa [...] and indicate that S. pauciflora may be a variety of S. ciliata. Since S. pauciflora so closely resembles S. ciliata it is not illustrated. These taxa need additional study to justify a combination; therefore, the two taxa are treated as distinct species."

Native FAC (NWPL) FACW (DEP)

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