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Cyperus compactus

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Cyperus compactus Retz.

Family Name: Cyperaceae
Synonyms: Cyperus cuadriflorus, Cyperus dilutus
Common Name: 密穗砖子苗

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Grass or Grass-like Plant (Sedge (Cyperaceae))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Africa, China, Indo-China, Malesia and Australia
Native Habitat Terrestrial, Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Temperate

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A perennial herb, it can grow up to 1m in height. 
Foliage The leaf sheath is purple-red and cylindric. The leaf blade is flate with conspicuous transverse veins and abaxial mid-vein. 
Flowers The flowers are borne on spikes and are globose to sub-globose in shape. The spikelets are many and radially spreading. The glumes are red but abaxially green in the middle. 
Fruit The fruit is a nutlet and is narrowly oblong in shape. 
Habitat It is found growing in grasslands and swamps, along the waterways and paddy fields from sea level to 1000m in altitude. 

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses General, Riverine

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site), Easy to Grow
Propagation Method Seed, Storage Organ (Rhizome)

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, Red
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Rough
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks purplish red sheath.

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Brown
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Inflorescence Type Spikelet / Compound Spike
Flowering Period Free-Flowering

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 31323
Species ID 5720
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.
Species record last updated on: 20 August 2021.
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