Cyperus odoratus is an annual C4 sedge (Li et al. 1999), stout, 10-80 cm tall. Flowering stalks (rays) 3-10, 2-10 cm long, branched.
Leaves 0.2-0.8 cm wide, inflorescence bracts much longer than flowering stem.
Flower spikes linear, cylindrical 1-2 cm long, becoming brownish, 5-20 flowers, scales to 0.3 cm, tip overlapping base of next scale, axis winged, eventually separating between each flower.
Fruit an achene; wings enfolding each achene, achenes 3-sided, to 0.2 cm long; blooms and fruits Aug.-Oct.
Wetland status: FACW.
Frequency in NYC: Rare (NYS S3, U).
Origin: Native.
Habitat: Wet soil, tolerant of brackish water.