Hypogynous bristles and scales in basal florets in amphicarpous Schoenoplectus species (Cyperaceae)

A perianth of bristles is known in both aerial and basal florets of the amphicarpous sedge Eleocharis minima. For the first time, a perianth is reported within basal florets of Schoenoplectus section Supini. Aerial florets of the same plants show no evidence of a perianth. In S. erectus ssp. raynalii and in S. lateriflorus ssp. lateriflorus , the perianth to the basal amphicarp consisted of two bristles with antrorse barbs. In S. articulatus, S. roylei and S. senegalensis the perianth comprised broader, smooth-margined structures interpreted as scales. In some cases these were three per floret and were set at two levels suggestive of two whorls. Other amphicarpous species of the section showed basal florets without a perianth.