Cyperus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sy-PEER-us
- Description
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A genus of approximately 700 species of sedges, Cyperus can be found worldwide in tropical and temperate locations. Variations occur throughout the genus.
The flowers are green or yellowish-brown. Seeds germinate spring through summer. Plants flower in late summer through early fall, and then die after frost.
The stems are triangular in cross-section and plants grow best in wet sites in hot weather.
Annual sedges are variable in size but all have a clump (or tillered) growth habit and frequently have red roots, but lack the rhizomes and tubers seen in nutsedge. Annual sedges are easier to control than perennial nutsedges. Many preemergence herbicides are effective on annual sedges and hand weeding is easier and more effective than with nutsedge.
Annual Sedge is a food source for the Dun skipper butterfly (Euphyes vestris).
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Several species of annual sedges including rice flat sedge (C. iria), compressed sedge (C. compressus), flatsedge (C. odoratus) can infest container stock. In contrast to yellow nutsedge, these species spread strictly by seed.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus esculentus
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus esculentus
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cyperus
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South hemisphere and parts of norther hemisphere
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds and small mammals often eat the seeds and tubers. Serves as a host plant for species of butterflies and moths.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasional Flooding
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are three-angled.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
