Common Names: Flat Spiked Rush
Family: Cyperaceae
Habit: Fimbristylis ovata grows as a clumping herb with slightly triangular stems to 50 when in flower. The leaves to 30 cm (typically shorter) in length and 1 mm in width and glabrous. The leaf margin is scabrous with an acute leaf apex. The venation pattern is linear.
The incomplete, perfect, flowers are arranged in a terminal ovate spike. The flowers are subtended by a bract. There is no calyx or corolla. The scales below fertile flowers are red/brown. There are 3 stamens. The ovary is superior with a single locule and a 2-cleft style. The fruit is a slightly triangular achene at maturity.