[1] Key diagnostic characters of S. megacarpus are its primary inflorescence bracts that are expanded proximally with membranaceous extensions.

It appears that part of this problem is caused by the tendency of the southern African Schoenus to form hybrids with each other.

[3] Other notable genera in tribe Schoeneae include Lepidosperma, Oreobolus, Costularia, Tetraria and Gahnia.

[1] Southern African Schoenus were once classified as Tetraria; however, based on molecular and morphological differences, we now know that the two groups are evolutionary distinct.

[6] Schoenus megacarpus grows throughout south-central South Africa, with its distribution ranging from the Anysberg Nature Reserve in the west to the Grahamstown area in the east.