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Indian flatsedge

Scientific Name: Cyperus nanus

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Indian Flatsedge (Cyperus nanus)

The plant commonly known as Indian flatsedge encompasses several varieties and related species within the Cyperus genus. This page provides information compiled from various sources about these plants, including their classification, distribution, and potential uses.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • Some flatsedge species, including Cyperus, can form mats.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cyperus nanus Willd.
  • Common Name: Indian flatsedge
  • Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Variety
  • Synonyms:
    • Cyperus granularis (Desf.) Britton
    • Mariscus capillaris (Sw.) Vahl
  • Varieties:
    • Cyperus nanus Willd. var. nanus
    • Cyperus nanus Willd. var. subtenuis Kk.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Indian flatsedge is native to:
    • Canada (CAN)
    • Hawaii (HI)
    • Lower 48 United States (L48)
    • Northwest Atlantic (NAV)
    • Puerto Rico (PR)
  • Brown flatsedge (Cyperus fuscus) is widely distributed in Europe, Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Mediterranean region of Northern Africa. It is also introduced in North America.
  • Cyperus iria is a significant weed of rice in Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines.
  • Cyperus alopecuroides - foxtail flatsedge
  • Other countries in South East Asia include: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia
  • Other locations in India include: Assam, Kerala, Laccadive Is., Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh

Ecological Role

  • Cyperus iria is considered a major weed in rice paddies in certain regions.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Indian flatsedge is a graminoid with an erect, columnar development.
  • Lacking leaves, Indian flatsedge grows as a cluster of short, slender stems topped with an irregular, grassy, tufted head of tan flowers.
  • Growth Habit: graminoid.
  • Habit is upright, clump-forming.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Cyperus iria (rice flat sedge) can be a host for Curvularia tuberculata.

Quirky Facts

  • Mats made from Cyperus species were traditionally used in Palakkad, India, and Niihau (makaloa mats).
  • Tubers of Chufa Flatsedge (Cyperus esculentus) were used as food by Costanoan Indians in California.

Related Species and Common Names

  • West Indian flatsedge: Cyperus confertus Sw.
  • Poorland flatsedge: Cyperus compressus
  • Pond Flatsedge: Cyperus ochraceus Vahl
  • Owan's Flatsedge: Cyperus owanii Boeckeler
  • Dense Flat-sedge: Cyperus congestus Vahl
  • Tall flatsedge: Cyperus eragrostis
  • Rice flat sedge: Cyperus iria
  • Pine barren flatsedge: Cyperus retrorsus
  • Alabama swamp flatsedge: Cyperus ligularis
  • Bearded flatsedge: Cyperus squarrosus
Other common names include grasshopper&#39s cyperus, rice flat sedge, and ricefield

Further Information

  • Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cyperus confertus.
  • More information is available on the Flowers of India website.