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Cyperus papyrus

Family Name:	Cyperaceae
Common Name:	Bulrush, Paper Plant, Papyrus, Paper Reed, Egyptian Paper Plant

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Lots of Water

Fruit or Vegetable

Herb or Spice

Ornamental Leaves

Aquatic

Herbaceous Plant

Cyperus papyrus, detail of stem head of flowering culm

Cyperus papyrus, details of fruits (nuts)

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Emergent Aquatic, Waterside / Marginal), Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Fountain (Palm-like)
Maximum Height	2.5 m to 3.0 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width	0.9 m to 1.2 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Egypt, Sudan, North Africa
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone	Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Emergent aquatic or marginal sedge, up to 3m height. Tall, impressive shrub for large water features with calm water (50cm depth).Leaves reduced, at base of culms. Stems triangular in cross-section, main stems topped by wiry heads of shiny green stalks to form flowering heads. Flowers small, pale brown. Flower heads droop with age. Fruits dark brown, nuts. Propagate by division of woody rhizomes at base of clumps.Stem piths used to make papyrus sheets by ancient Eygptians. Stems woven into reed mats and baskets (bulrush basket used to hold biblical baby Moses). Starchy rhizomes and flowering culms eaten raw or cooked by north Africans. Young stems grazed by livetsock. Ash from burnt papyrus used to treat wounds and ulcers.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts : Edible Stems Food (Herb or Spice) (Fruit or Vegetable) Others: Stem pith used to make papryrus sheets in ancient Eygpt. Starchy rhizomes and flowering heads eaten raw or cooked in north Africa. Flower heads also used to make garlands. Young shoots grazed by livestock. Ash from burnt papyrus sheets used to treat wounds and ulcers.

Others - Plant Morphology

Emergent aquatic or marginal sedge, up to 3m height. Tall, impressive shrub for large water features with calm water (50cm depth).Leaves reduced, at base of culms. Stems triangular in cross-section, main stems topped by wiry heads of shiny green stalks to form flowering heads. Flowers small, pale brown. Flower heads droop with age. Fruits dark brown, nuts. Propagate by division of woody rhizomes at base of clumps.Stem piths used to make papyrus sheets by ancient Eygptians. Stems woven into reed mats and baskets (bulrush basket used to hold biblical baby Moses). Starchy rhizomes and flowering culms eaten raw or cooked by north Africans. Young stems grazed by livetsock. Ash from burnt papyrus used to treat wounds and ulcers.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Edible Plant Parts : Edible Stems
Food (Herb or Spice) (Fruit or Vegetable)
Others: Stem pith used to make papryrus sheets in ancient Eygpt. Starchy rhizomes and flowering heads eaten raw or cooked in north Africa. Flower heads also used to make garlands. Young shoots grazed by livestock. Ash from burnt papyrus sheets used to treat wounds and ulcers.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Riverine, Swimming Poolside, Focal Plant, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping	Water Garden, Bioswales / Sunken Garden, Naturalistic Garden

SGMP Treatment

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	Fast

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Easy to Grow
Maintenance Requirements	Moderate
Pruning	Prune to restrict growth.
Fertilizing	Plant is a heavy feeder. Fertilize once per month.
Potential Problems	Spreads quicky and extensively under favourable conditions. May invade space of other plants, unless pruned back.
Diseases	May be affected by mealybugs if grown indoors.
Pest(s)	Associated with
Propagation Method	Seed, Division
Maintenance Requirements Remarks	Centre of clump tends to die back and look unsightly. Practicse division and start new clumps to maintain attractiveness.
Propagation Method Remarks	Division may require use of chainsaw to cut through thick woody rhizome.

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Scaly

Foliar Modification	Reduced / Needle-like
Typical Foliar Area	Nanophyll ( 0.25cm2 - 2.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Herbaceous
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s)	Underground (Rhizome)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Brown, Cream / Off-White, Green
Flowering Period	Free-Flowering

Flowering Opening Time	Time-Independent
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Brown
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	627
Species ID	1922
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.