About Rhynchospora megalocarpa A.Gray
Rhynchospora megalocarpa A.Gray is a perennial sedge. Mature clumps of this species can grow up to 130 cm across. It has a scaly rhizome that produces stolons. Its culms are typically erect to arching. Like most sedges, R. megalocarpa produces leaves arranged spirally in three ranks. The leaves are linear, measuring around 3–7 mm wide. Its inflorescence is made up of 2 to 6 clusters of light red-brown spikelets. The fruits of this species are achenes, with 1 to 2 achenes developing inside each spikelet. Mature achenes are typically 4–5 mm wide, and colored dark brown to black. This plant fruits from summer through fall. Rhynchospora megalocarpa is native to the southeastern United States, where it occurs in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It is most common and abundant in Florida. It grows primarily in white or yellow sandhill habitats, and has also been recorded growing in scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and xeric hammock environments.
