Hypodiscus aristatus spikelets near Hermanus

Three Hypodiscus aristatus male spikelets grow close together at this culm tip. The lance-shaped, papery spathe subtending each spikelet clasps the stem at its base and ends in an acutely pointed tip. In this species a spathe may have a dark brown patch at the base or a stripe up the centre. These spathes are caducous, meaning they drop off early.

The overlapping, brown scales that make up the spikelets or floret clusters are the floral bracts. Together they appear pineapple-like, giving the species its common name of pineapple-reed. The bracts end in long, erect awns or bristles, their tips forming a flat, brush-like top. The specific name, aristatus, is a Latin word meaning awned, arista an awn (Euston-Brown and Kruger, 2023; Dorrat-Haaksma and Linder, 2012; Bean and Johns, 2005; iNaturalist).