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Cyperus alternifolius L.
| Family Name: | Cyperaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cyperus racemosus |
| Common Name: | Umbrella Sedge, Umbrella Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Umbrella |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion Island |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River) |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Emergent aquatic plant growing up to 2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Well-developed root system securely anchors the plant in wet soil. |
| Foliage | The leaf-like structures that form the "umbrella" are actually involucral bracts that occur just below the inflorescence. They can be green to reddish brown and are spirally arranged at the very tip of the stem. They have a slightly pleated texture. |
| Flowers | Small, greenish white flowers occur in clusters of 10 - 20. |
| Cultivation | It grows best in semi-shade, but has some tolerance for full sun. It can be grown as an indoor plant, but the soil should be kept moist. |
| Etymology | The genus Cyperus comes from the Greek word for sedge ("kupeiros"). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: It has phytoremediation potential, because it accumulates copper and manganese, as well as nitrogen and phosphorous. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is one of the most commonly used Cyperus species for landscaping purposes. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Phytoremediation |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden, Marsh Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Herbaceous) |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Green - Light Green, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
References
| References | Yong J, Tan PY, Nor Hafiz Hassan, Tan SN. 2010. A Selection of Plants for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics. Singapore: Chung Printing . 480 pp. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 625 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1920 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
