Thamnochortus pluristachyus female spikelets

The female inflorescence of Thamnochortus pluristachyus consists of spikelets that are stiffly erect, growing in clusters at culm tips of female plants.

The spikelet is narrowly elliptic, comprising many tiny florets covered in brown, cartilaginous bracts. A spikelet is about 1 cm long. One style is produced per floret. The photo was taken in July.

The fruit is a small nutlet (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984).