''Rhynchospora megalocarpa'', commonly called sandyfield beaksedge, is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

in the sedge family (

Cyperaceae The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus ''Carex'' w ...

). It is native to

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, where it is found in the

southeastern United States The Southeastern United States, also referred to as the American Southeast or simply the Southeast, is a geographical region of the United States. It is located broadly on the eastern portion of the southern United States and the southern por ...

Distribution

''Rhynchospora megalocarpa'' is found in the southeastern part of the United States in

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

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North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

, and

South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...

. 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 summer through fall.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15554980 megalocarpa Flora of the United States