One thing about the Cyperaceae family is that, if a person were flustered or in a hurry, they might confuse the name with the Cupressaceae family - the same way that a flustered and hurried person might conceivably confuse the Aracaceae family with the Arecaceae family.
Similar sounding as the names may be, in all of these cases the plants could not be more different.
Whereas the Cupressaceae family includes the tallest and largest trees in the world, the Cyperaceae family consists of sedges. Sedges are low-growing plants that typically grow in wetlands. Although there are over five thousand species of these things, I am only aware of encountering a handful of them. They made an impression on me with their completely unusual flowers that don't really resemble flowers at all. Structurally, sedges are distinct.
I am having trouble imagining an unusual flower that does not really resemble a flower. Please post a photo if you can. I'm curious.
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