Summary Cyperus dives (Cyperaceae), a native of subtropical Africa and parts of Asia, was recently recorded twice in the surroundings of Biella (Piemonte). It has been confused so far with Cyperus imbricatus. Distinguishing features of these and other related species (incl. Cyperus alopecuroides) are presented. Cyperus lupulinus subsp. lupulinus, originating in North America, was recorded on a railway yard in Chivasso (Piemonte) in 2009, probably for the first time in Europe. It is illustrated and compared with some related species (incl. Cyperus schweinitzii that is naturalised in France). The presence of the American Eleocharis flavescens in Piemonte is discussed. Previous records of this species were confined to rice fields (as an agricultural weed) and belong to var. olivacea, a taxon that is now possibly extinct. Present-day records in Piemonte seem to represent an independent introduction (at least in part via military troops). These populations are ascribed to var. flavescens and are found in protected, vulnerable natural habitats (heath lands) (as an environmental weed).
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Verloove et al. (2011) studied this question.
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