Cyperus nutans is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to Australia,[2] China, India, Bangladesh, south-east Asia, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia.[1]

Cyperus nutans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Cyperus
Species:
C. nutans
Binomial name
Cyperus nutans
Synonyms[1]

Cyperus bispicatus Steud.
Cyperus racemosus Retz.

The rhizomatous perennial sedge typically grows to a height of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft).[2] The culms are three sided with sharp edges and concave sides. The culms are typically up 100 cm (39 in) in length and have a diameter of 10 mm (0.39 in). The leaves are usually shorter than the culms and have a width of around 6 to 12 mm (0.24 to 0.47 in).[3] It blooms between February and July and produces brown flowers.[2] Each compound inflorescence has six to ten primary branches up to a length of 30 cm (12 in). The narrow-cylindrical spikes have a length of 2 to 3 cm (0.79 to 1.18 in) with a 5 mm (0.20 in) diameter. After flowering a dark brown narrow-ellipsoid to narrow-obovoid shaped nut will form.[3]

The species was first formally described by the botanist Martin Vahl in 1805 as part of the work Enumeratio Plantarum, from a specimen collected in India.[4][5] The only two subspecies are Cyperus nutans subsp. nutans and Cyperus nutans var. nutans.[6]

The plant is found in northern and eastern Australia in coastal areas in the states of New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.[6] In Western Australia it is found around shady swamps and pools in the Kimberley region where it grows in sandy-clay soils.[2] In New South Wales it is only found in the north-eastern corner where it is found along creek banks.[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Cyperus elatus L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  2. ^ a b c d "Cyperus nutans". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. ^ a b c "Cyperus nutans Vahl". PlantNet. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Cyperus nutans". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  5. ^ Vahl, M.(H.) (1805). "Triandria. Monogynia". Enumeratio Plantarum. 2: 363.
  6. ^ a b "Cyperus nutans Vahl". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2 December 2018.

External links edit