1169

 Scleria lithosperma (L.) Sw.

Synonyms	:	Carex subulata J.F.Gmel.
Family	:	CYPERACEAE
Local name	:	Nakkupullu
Flowering and fruiting period	:	Throughout the year
Distribution	:	Pantropical
Distribution in kerala	:	All Districts
Habitat	:	Degraded forests and hill slopes, also in the plains
Uses	:	Not Known.
Key Botanical Characters: Erect, tufted, rhizomatous perennial herbs; culms 40-60 cm tall; rhizome woody, short; culms trigonous, smooth. Leaves dense at the middle part, scattered all along the stem, 8-33 x 0.2-0.4 cm, linear, margins scabrous, apex obtuse; sheaths narrow, 4-6 cm long, not winged, 3-sided; contraligule short, 1-2 mm long, obtuse, ciliate. Inflorescence narrow, loose, terminal panicle and 2-3 distant lateral ones. Primary bracts leaf-like, much longer than the inflorescence; secondary bracts setaceous. Spikelets few, bisexual, with one female flower and few male ones, 3-5 mm long. Glumes 3-4 mm long, ovate, acute, brown. Stamen 1; anthers 1-1.5 mm. Nut 2-3 x 2 mm, ovoid, obtusely trigonous, smooth, shining white; disk reduced to a narrow, brown ring.