Scientific Name:
Cyperus
spp.
Pronunciation:
sye-PEER-us
Common Name:
papyrus, umbrella plant
Family Name:
Cyperaceae
Plant Type:
Aquatic plant, Herbaceous perennial, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Stems grass-like, three sided, green, with whorl of leaf-like bracts at tips that resemble umbrella spokes; flowers in greenish-brown clusters on or amongst the bracts.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 10: (-1 to 4 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Water Use:
High
Landscape Uses:
Aquatic - ponds, Container planting, Waterside planting, Wetland - bogs
Additional Info:
Species shown include C. papyrus (up to 2.5m tall), and C. alternifolius (up to 1m tall).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Whorled
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Truncate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Floriferous, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Brown
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
spikelets arranged in umbels
Fruit Type:
Achene
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant,
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
