Kunth, Enum. Pl. 2:172.1837 Stout, glabrous perennial, 30-100 cm tall, usually aquatic. Leaves basal, long and narrow, equaling or exceeding culms and inflorescences, to 1 cm wide except wider at sheathing base, the midrib raised above and usually scabrous, the margins scabrous; leaves drying with numerous minute rectangular reticulations at least near base. Bracts subtending inflorescence leaflike, often more than 60 cm long; inflorescences of dense globose heads, 1-1.5 cm diam on rays 1-10 cm long; spikelets 4-8 mm long; scales acuminate; stamens 2 or 3; style bifid or trifid. Achenes narrowly obovoid, smooth, pale. Croat 13974.