Rhynchospora megalocarpa

Rhynchospora megalocarpa
R. megalocarpa inflorescence
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Rhynchospora
Species:	R. megalocarpa
Binomial name
Rhynchospora megalocarpa A. Gray
Synonyms
Phaeocephalum dodecandrum Rhynchospora dodecandra Rhynchospora pycnocarpa

Rhynchospora megalocarpa, commonly called sandyfield beaksedge, is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found in the southeastern United States.

Distribution

Rhynchospora megalocarpa is found in the southeastern part of the United States in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It is prominently located in Florida. It enjoys a white or yellow sand-hill environment to grow in. It has also been found in scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and xeric hammock environments.

Description

Rhynchospora megalocarpa is a perennial plant. It has been known to grow 130 cm in diameter. It has a scaly rhizome that form stolons. The culm is typically erect to arching. Like most sedges, R. megalocarpa forms leaves spirally arranged in three ranks. The leaves are linear, around 3–7 mm wide. The inflorescence forms 2-6 spikelet clusters, that are light red-brown color. The fruits are achenes; each spikelet contains 1-2 fruits. The achene is typically 4–5 mm wide. It has a dark brown to black coloration. It fruits from summer through fall.