Bolboschoenus maritimus leaves and culms

The long, narrow leaves of Bolboschoenus maritimus have no ligules on the closed leaf sheaths that clasp a stem or culm low down. The free blades above the sheaths are linear, flat with central keels in V-shaped ribs, tapering to acutely pointed tips. The blades are smooth and erect to curving slightly, usually exceeding the flowering stems. There are thin, parallel vein lines longitudinally and close together on the blades. The margins and keels are rough.

The three-angled or trigonous culm bearing the inflorescence branches at the base of the cluster or clusters of spikelets, continuing as angled bracts like leaf tips. These bracts are more leaf-like than culm-like (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Pooley, 1998; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org).