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Cyperus prolifer Lamarck
| Family Name: | Cyperaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cyperus haspan var. viviparus (invalid & misapplied), Cyperus aequalis, Cyperus papyrus 'Nanus' (misapplied), Cyperus jocladus, Cyperus prolifer var. isocladus, Cyperus papyroides, Cyperus isocladus |
| Common Name: | Miniature Flatsedge, Sheathed Flatsedge, Miniature Cyperus |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Emergent Aquatic, Waterside / Marginal) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Dwarf |
| Maximum Height | 0.4 m to 0.6 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.2 m to 0.3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Somalia to South Africa, West Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Mascarene Islands) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Emergent herbaceous aquatic shrub, usually reaching 0.6m height in cultivation. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves inconspicuous, reduced to sheaths at base of culms. |
| Flowers | Held in umbel inflorescences of numerous thin rays (stalks) radiating erectly out in hemispherical to globular head from apex of culm. Wild specimens produce clusters of reddish-brown, finely-latticed, wind-pollinated fertile spikelets from tips of umbel stalks. Spent inflorescences often viviparous, producing new plantlets that root upon contact with wet substrate, when laden culms fall over due to weight of inflorescences. Cultivated specimens are normally sterile and lack such spikelets. |
| Fruit | Achenes (1-seeded fruits), brown when mature, dispersed by water and wind. Seldom produced by cultivated specimens. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Culms: Stem-like shoots with flattened triangular cross-section, joined to slender underground rhizome -- which creeps along substrate to form clumping plant colonies above water level. |
| Habitat | Found in permanently moist areas like freshwater wetlands, swamps, or growing as floating mats within and along margins of freshwater lakes and streams. |
| Similar | Resembles a more delicate version of (and sometimes mistakenly labelled as) Cyperus papyrus 'Nanus', a dwarf cultivar of the typically large sedge. This cultivar is taller, with larger inflorescence heads composed of rays that are less stiff. Also referred to by the misapplied and taxonomically-invalid name of Cyperus haspan var. viviparus, even though it bears little resemblance to the species Cyperus haspan, which looks more weedy than ornamental. |
| Cultivation | Base of plant should always be kept moist, but never allow crown to be submerged. Can be grown in muddy or sandy substrates, in up to 10cm water depth. Withstands mildly akaline substrates, with preferred range of 6.1 - 7.8. Takes partial shade, but avoid growing under trees which shed a lot, as fallen leaves may get caught in inflorescence heads, Limit vegetative spread by growing plants in containers. Propagate by division, or if fertile specimens are available, by viviparous plantlets and seeds. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Cyperus' derived from Greek word for 'sedge'. Species epithet 'prolifer' means 'increasing by production of side-shoots', a reference to the viviparous plantlets produced by the mother plant. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Dried culms used for basket-weaving in Madagascar. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Riverine |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | Tolerates slightly alkaline soils/water: pH 6.1 - 7.8 |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic (Wind) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Water) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Alkaline high pH Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Storage Organ, Division |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Rhizomes |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Modification | Reduced / Needle-like |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown, Red |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 626 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1921 |
| 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. |
