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Molokai flatsedge
Scientific Name: Cyperus phleoides var. phleoides
Family: Cyperaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Molokai Flatsedge
Learn about the Molokai Flatsedge, a plant native to Hawaii.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Cyperus phleoides (Nees ex Kunth) Hillebr.
- Common Name: Molokai Flatsedge
- Other Common Names: Alpine Flatsedge, Flatsedge, Taperleaf Flatsedge, Taper-tip Flat Sedge, Tapertip Flatsedge
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Cyperaceae
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Varieties:
- Cyperus phleoides (Nees ex Kunth) Hillebr. var. hawaiensis (H. Mann) Kk.
- Cyperus phleoides (Nees ex Kunth) Hillebr. var. phleoides
- Synonym: Mariscus phleoides
Distribution and Habitat
- Endemic to Hawaii.
- Specifically found on the islands of Molokai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. Also found on Laysan in the Northwestern part of the Hawaiian island chain.
- Also known from Niihau and Lanai, but has been extirpated from these islands.
- Habitat includes Halawa, Molokai.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Graminoid plant type.
- Perennial plant.
- Reaches a medium size, up to 4 meters high.
- Assumes a green coloring in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Related Species
- Cyperus cuspidatus (coastal plain flatsedge)
- Cyperus fauriei (alpine flatsedge)
- Cyperus lecontei (Le Conte's flatsedge)
- Cyperus louisianensis (Louisiana flatsedge)
- Cyperus aggregatus (Inflatedscale Flatsedge)
- Cyperus esculentus (chufa flatsedge)
- Cyperus phaeolepis
Further Information
- Photographs by Forest & Kim Starr.
- Images available at Starr Environmental.