Citation: R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 221 (1810).

Synonymy: Scirpus fiuitans L., Sp. Pl. 48 (1753). , Scirpus fluitans

Common name: Floating club-rush.

Description:
Stems filiform, weak, creeping or floating, often many-noded or tufted; leaves very slender, often capillary, alternate, with their sheaths pale-green.

Spikelet solitary, terminal on a long peduncle rising from the tuft of leaves, ovoid, 3-5 mm long; glumes 6-10, nearly all containing bisexual flowers; stamens usually 2; style branches 2.

Nut subovoid to orbicular, acute to obtuse-apiculate, shortly cuneate, 1-1.3 x 0.7-1 mm, plano-convex to somewhat biconvex, straw-coloured, smooth, rather dull, about half as long as the glume.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: EP, NL, MU, SL, KI, SE.   All States except the N.T.   Europe, Africa and Asia. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Oct. — Feb.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: On drier ground the species forms small tufts of short often erect stems with the leaves apparently clustered at their bases, and the lower glume frequently produced as a very short leafy bract. At first sight this state looks very different from the floating form, but under suitable conditions all intermediate states can be seen, many indeed on the same plant. This short, sometimes minute, form is very common and is occasionally found in swamps.

Author: Not yet available