Species

Cyperus alternifolius subsp. flabelliformis

Etymology

Cyperus: From the ancient Greek name for sedge, kypeiros

Authority

Cyperus alternifolius subsp. flabelliformis Kük.

Family

Cyperaceae

Brief Description

Distinctive sedge with almost rounded stems up to 80 cm, with many leaves at the top of each otherwise leafless stem, underneath an open flower head with many stalked clusters of flattened green spikes

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Sedges

Synonyms

Cyperus flabelliformis Rottb.; Cyperus involucratus Rottb.

Distribution

Scattered in many parts of North island (usually close to habitation) and also in Christchurch.

Habitat

Margins of water bodies and in drains.

Features

Rhizome short, stout. Stems to 60 cm high, stout, subterete. Leaves reduced to closely appressed, very pale brown basal sheaths. Involucral bracts many, ± equal, to 25 cm × 10 mm, > inflorescence, tips shortly acuminate. Inflorescence a compound umbel; rays many, to 8 cm long. Spikelets in small clusters at tips of rays, ± 4 × 2 mm, ovoid to linear-oblong, compressed, shining. Glumes densely imbricate, ± 2 mm long, ovate, obtuse, hyaline, white to light brown with green keel. Stamens 3. Style-branches 3. Nut ± ⅓ length of glume, trigonous, ovoid-ellipsoid, brown (Healy and Edgar, 1980).

Similar Taxa

Similar to a small papyrus (and sometimes sold under that name), differing in the presence of persistent leaf-like bracts and upright flower stalks in Cyperus involucratus, rather than deciduous bracts and filamentous, drooping, mostly sterile flower stalks of papyrus.

Flowering

Summer to autumn

Flower Colours

Green,Yellow

Fruiting

Summer to autumn

Year Naturalised

1973

Origin

Africa

Reason for Introduction

Ornamental plant

Control Techniques

Not controlled in New Zealand.

Life Cycle and Dispersal

Deliberate planting or garden waste dumpings.

Attribution

Prepared by Paul Champion and Deborah Hofstra (NIWA). Features description from Edgar and Healy (1980).

References and further reading

Healy, A.J.; Edgar, E.  (1980). Flora of New Zealand, Volume III.  Adventive Cyperaceous, Petalous and Spathaceous Monocotyledons.  Government Printer, Wellington.  220pp. 

Champion et al (2012). Freshwater Pests of New Zealand.  NIWA publication. http://www.niwa.co.nz/freshwater-and-estuaries/management-tools/identification-guides-and-fact-sheets/freshwater-pest-species

Johnson PN, Brooke PA (1989).  Wetland plants in New Zealand.   DSIR Field Guide, DSIR Publishing, Wellington. 319pp.

This page last updated on 14 Mar 2016