| Synonyms: | Cyperus lanceolatus Poir. Pycreus propinquus Nees | 
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| Description: | Perennial up to 52 cm high, sometimes appearing to be annual; culms tufted, 3-angled, smooth, the base covered with reddish-brown to purplish bladeless sheaths. Involucral bracts 2-3, leaf-like, stiffly spreading. Inflorescence capitate, with golden-brown spikelets in a dense, digitate, globose cluster. | 
| Type location: | Madagascar | 
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | lanceolatus: lance-shaped, tapered to a point, probably referring to the scabrid leaf apex. | 
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| Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa, Madagascar, South America | 
| FZ divisions: | N,E | 
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| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species | 
| Literature: | Hoenselaar, K., Verdcourt, B. & Beentje, H.J. (2010). Cyperaceae Flora of Tropical East Africa Pages 291 - 292. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 89. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 101. |