Cyperus victoriensis, also known as channel nut grass is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to all the states and territories of mainland Australia.[1][2][3]
| Cyperus victoriensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Cyperus |
| Species: | C. victoriensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cyperus victoriensis | |
Description edit
The rhizomatous perennial herb to grass-like sedge typically grows to a height of 0.6 to 1.0 metre (2.0 to 3.3 ft).[1] It has slender rhizomes that form ovoid to ellipsoid shaped woody tubers that are 5 to 10 millimetres (0.197 to 0.394 in) in diameter. The mostly terete culms are smooth and trigonous with a length of 30 to 100 cm (12 to 39 in) and a diameter of 3 millimetres (0 in). The leaves are not septate-nodulose and usually half the length of the culm with a width of 2 to 4 mm (0.079 to 0.157 in).[4]
The simple inflorescence has three to eight primary branches with a length of about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) that is often bent under the weight of the spikelets. The spikes have an ovoid shape and a length of around 4 cm (1.6 in) and a diameter of around 3 cm (1.2 in). The spikelets are flattened with 3 to 15 on each spike containing around 40 flowers. Later a trigonous, narrowly obovoid gery-brown to black nut will form with a length of 1.5 to 1.7 mm (0.059 to 0.067 in) and a diameter of 0.7 mm (0.028 in).[4]
Taxonomy edit
The species was first formally described by the botanist Charles Baron Clarke in 1908 in the Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Gardens, Kew.[3]
Distribution edit
It is endemic to mainland Australia and is found in all states.[4] In Western Australia and is found along streams and creeks in the Kimberley region where it grows in sandy-clay soils.[1] In New South Wales it is widespread through most non-coastal areas and is known on floodplains and the banks of inland watercourses mostly on clayey soils.[4] It is found in north western Victoria from the mallee through to the Riverina.[5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Cyperus victoriensis". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ Philip A. Clarke (2012). Australian plants as Aboriginal Tools. Rosenberg Publishing. ISBN 9781922013576.
- ^ a b "Cyperus victoriensis C.B.Clarke". Kew Science – Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Cyperus victoriensis C.B.Clarke". PlantNet. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Cyperus victoriensis C.B.Clarke". VicFlora. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 18 October 2018.