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Cyperus brevifolius

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Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk.

Family Name: Cyperaceae
Synonyms: Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb., Cyperus cruciformis
Common Name: Shortleaf Spikesedge, Green Kyllinga

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Growth Form Grass or Grass-like Plant (Sedge (Cyperaceae))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial

Biogeography

Native Distribution Pantropical
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground), Shoreline (Sandy Beach)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Perennial sedge up to 0.3 m tall.
Foliage A few basal leaves occur at the base of the flowering stem (known as a culm). The 2-3 mm wide, linear leaves are usually shorter than the culm and have membranous leaf sheaths which are brown or purplish brown.
Stems The rhizome (an underground horizontal stem) is thin and long. It produces the flowering stems in small clusters or along the length of the rhizome with varying amounts of spacing.
Flowers The inflorescence is shaped like a round to slightly egg-shaped pompom which is light green and turning yellowish green at maturity (5-10 mm in diameter). It is composed of oblong to lance-shaped, flattened spikelets (3-3.5 mm long, 1 mm wide) which each have 4 glumes. At the base of the inflorescence, there are 3 leaf-like bracts of unequal size which are radially distributed from the inflorescence.
Fruit The dry, indehiscent, 1-seeded fruit is known as an achene. The brown, lentil-shaped (biconvex, flattened disk shape) fruit is 1.5 mm long.
Habitat It occurs in disturbed areas with wet soil, preferring sunny areas but able to tolerate shade. It also grows in wet sand along the shoreline.
Cultivation This weedy species is often found in turf and ornamental plantings and is difficult to control.

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Basal
Foliar Attachment to Stem Sessile
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Linear)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Clasping

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Green - Light Green
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Inflorescence Type Spikelet / Compound Spike

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 32604
Species ID 7016
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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