Cyperus polystachyos

Cyperus polystachyos, also known as Pycreus polystachyos and commonly known as bunchy sedge,[3] many-spiked sedge, or Texas sedge,[4] is a herbaceous species in the family Cyperaceae, widespread in tropical and subtropical areas around the world, sometimes extending its range into temperate regions. In the United States, it has been reported from a region from Texas to Maine.[2][5][6][7]

Bunchy sedge
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Cyperus
Species:
C. polystachyos
Binomial name
Cyperus polystachyos
Synonyms[2]
  • Pycreus polystachyos (Rottb.) P.Beauv.
  • Chlorocyperus polystachyus (Rottb.) Rikli
  • plus many others

It is common in the Neotropics as a weed in grass lawns.

The rhizomatous perennial or annual grass-like sedge typically grows to a height of 0.15 to 0.6 metres (0.5 to 2.0 ft). It blooms between summer and winter and produces green-brown flowers.[3] The stems are rigid with a thickness of 1 to 3 millimetres (0.039 to 0.118 in). Stems are glabrous with a triangular cross-section. The leaves are very narrow, around 1 to 4 mm (0.039 to 0.157 in) with a grass-like appearance and are often tufted at the base of the plant. The seed-head is an irregular cluster formation at the tip of the stem with brown spikes that have three to six green leafy bracts underneath.[4]

The species is widespread in warmer climates and found from sea level to an altitude of around 1,020 metres (3,346 ft). The species is found along rivers and creeks in a range of ecosystems from rainforest, melaleuca forest, vine thickets, eucalypt forest and swamps in a variety of woodland and grassland areas including in salty mud and marshes of the ocean shore.[8] In Australia the species is found mostly in coastal location, north of Perth in Western Australia[3] and through the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.[4]

References
  1. Rehel, S. (2013). Cyperus polystachyos. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T164195A19089068. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T164195A19089068.en. Downloaded on 27 October 2018.
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. "Cyperus polystachyos". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  4. "bunchy sedge Cyperus polystachyos". Weed Identification tool. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  5. "Cyperus polystachyos". plants.usda.gov. USDA. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  6. Biota of North America Program, 2013 county distribution map
  7. Flora of North America, Vol. 23 Page 160, Cyperus polystachyos Rottbøll, Descr. Pl. Rar. 21. 1772.
  8. "Cyperus polystachyos". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Lucid Key Server. Retrieved 6 October 2017.


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