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flatsedge
Scientific Name: Cyperus
Family: Cyperaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Flatsedge (Cyperus spp.)
Flatsedges belong to the genus Cyperus, encompassing a diverse group of sedges with varying characteristics and habitats.
Considerations for Pets
- Some flatsedges have triangular stems, while others have circular stems.
Considerations for Children
- Some flatsedges have triangular stems, while others have circular stems.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Cyperus
- Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Synonyms: The text mentions several Cyperus species, including Cyperus strigosus, Cyperus odoratus, Cyperus eragrostis, Cyperus surinamensis, Cyperus acuminatus, Cyperus bipartitus, Cyperus iria, Cyperus phleoides, Cyperus virens, and Cyperus niger which can also be considered synonyms depending on taxonomic interpretation.
Common Names
- Flatsedge
- Tall flatsedge
- Nutgrass
- Tall nutgrass
- Umbrella sedge
- Chufa
- Earth almond
- Papyrus sedges
- Nutsedges
- Galingales
- Straw-colored flatsedge
- Fragrant flatsedge
- Rice flat sedge
- Ricefield flatsedge
- Lovegrass sedge
- Drain flat sedge
- Pale galingale
- Green flatsedge
- Black Flatsedge
- Molokai flatsedge
- Awned flatsedge
- Spiny flat sedge
Distribution and Habitat
- Nationally flat sedge is found in northern England, East Anglia and the West Midlands down to Dorset.
- Straw-colored flatsedge is found on pond shores, river sandbars and in ditches, often on sandy soil.
- Umbrella flatsedge is found on moist to wet, sandy or peaty shorelines throughout New England.
- Marsh Flatsedge is found in the southern half of the state
- Tall flatsedge is commonly found in wet meadows, seeps, and springs.
Ecological Role
- Some flatsedge species, like C. iria, are considered major weeds of rice in regions like Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines.
- Umbrella flat sedge may become invasive in some areas.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Flatsedges are emersed plants, typical of the Cyperus genus.
- Species vary greatly in size, from 5 cm to 5 m in height.
- Some are perennial, others are annual.
- Stems (culms) can be circular or triangular in cross-section.
- Culms of some species are 3-angled, glabrous, and stout, while others are slender, wiry, and 3-sided.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Rice flatsedge and barnyardgrass are widespread and competitive weeds in direct-seeded.
Quirky Facts
- Native Americans used the roots of nut flatsedge as food and as a remedy for colds.
- A good way to remember that the scales of a subspecies are more loosely arranged around the fruit than the closely related Cyperus lupulinus
Further Information
- ARKive (Smooth flatsedge)
- UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Urrbrae Wetland: www.urrbraewetlandlc.org