The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Cyperus papyrus

Etymology

Cyperus: From the ancient Greek name for sedge, kypeiros

Common Name(s)

Papyrus

Authority

Cyperus papyrus L.

Family

Cyperaceae

Brief Description

Very tall (to 2.5 m) clump forming leafless reed-like plant with wide triangular stems several cm across, with many (often more than 100) drooping thread-like green flower branches at the top of each stem forming a mop-like structure.

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Sedges

Distribution

Mostly northern North Island, usually close to habitation, but occasionally in remote sites.

Habitat

Emergent in still and slow flowing water bodies.

Features

Erect perennial sedge to 2.5 (4) m tall with triangular stems up to 4 cm across arising from short thick woody rhizomes. Leaves reduced to papery brown basal sheaths. Inflorescence terminal subtended by 4-10 deciduous sheath-like bracts 7-15 cm x 1 cm. Inflorescence compound often with >100 filamentous branches 10-25 cm x 1 mm, often sterile. Fertile spikes are 3-5 slikes with 20-30 spikelets, each 3-20 flowered. Viable seed production not known from New Zealand.

Similar Taxa

Distinctive tall leafless sedge with mop-like flower heads, unlikely to be mistaken for other naturalised sedges.

Flowering

Summer

Flower Colours

Green

Origin

Africa

Reason for Introduction

Ornamental plant

Control Techniques

Not controlled in New Zealand.

Life Cycle and Dispersal

Perennial. Reproduces in New Zealand probably only by asexual spread through layering (seed is occasionally produced but it is not yet known if it is viable). Dispersed by deliberate planting or garden discards. However some occurrences are in very remote situations and are difficult to explain if they had originated from garden discards.

Tolerances

Cold sensitive

This page last updated on 21 Aug 2013