I first observed Scleria lithosperma a few months ago, on May
31, 2012, in Key Largo, Florida. This is the only Scleria
species listed as Endangered in Florida. Including S.
lithosperma, I’ve now observed nine of the ten Scleria species
known from Florida. Scleria is a genus belonging to the
monocotyledonous family Cyperaceae. All Scleria species of
Florida are native here, except for Scleria lacustris. The fruit
of all Scleria species is an achene (as is true for all other
species of Cyperaceae). An achene is a dry, indehiscent, one-
seeded, fruit. Species of Scleria, like species of other
cyperaceous genera, are distinguished from one another largely
according to features of their achenes. All ten of our Scleria
species have white achenes (an atypical feature among Florida
Cyperaceae, overall) and their achenes are minute - ranging,
collectively, from one to four mm long. Because the achenes are
so small, the beginner requires a microscope to see them clearly
and to identify Scleria plants to species. Florid