Chestnut sedge
Chestnut sedge is a nativeof the brackish and salt marshes of Florida, but is sometimes found in freshwater marshes. It is common nearly throughout the state (Wunderlin, 2003).
There are about 25 Fimbristylis species in the U.S. with about 9 in Florida. This species is found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts (Kartesz, 1999).
It is a “fringe-rush sedge”. Its stem is densely tufted, to 48 in. tall, ribbed, as wide as leaf blades; leaf blades linear, narrow, rolled margins, base black or very dark brown; ligule absent; sheaths rigid, thick; bracts equal to or longer than inflorescence; inflorescences compound umbels, spikelets on branched tips; spikelets cone- to lance-shaped, to 5/8 in. long, spikelet scales spirally arranged.