alba, is characterized by
anthelate or fasciculate inflorescences, hypogynous bristles, and deeply bifid styles.
Consequently, several authors indicate the basic inflorescence in Cyperaceae as a "paniculodium", and similarly the
anthelate form as an "anthelodium" (e.g.
Inflorescences are capitate or
anthelate. They all have hermaphrodite, trimerous flowers, with each subtended by a papery glume.