Cyperus plants belong to a genus with hundreds (if not thousands) of varieties within their species. As a genus, Cyperus has a rich history that spans over most continents.
As most Cyperuses prefer moist or temperate climates, you can find most of this plant’s types around some sort of body of water. They can be annual or perennial depending on its native continent and location (east, west, south, or north).
With how many types there are within this species, the size, shape, flowering, and rarity of each individual one vary greatly.
Depending on the varieties of Cyperus, the plant can also have many uses among humans. For example, certain types can be used as seasoning for food, be made into sweets, essential oils, or crafting material.
Interestingly enough, since this species has a wide distribution and many beneficial properties, it has even started to take centerstage in biofuel production.
Of course, it also makes a wonderful houseplant!
Regardless of why or how you are interested in growing it, this list of the many interesting types of Cyperus plants should help you choose the perfect one.
Not sure which type of Cyperus to grow? Here are some of the most popular varieties that can be grown as houseplants regardless of where you live.
1. C. articulatus
Also known as the “jointed flatsedge” or the “priprioca”, the Cyperus Articulatus grows as a perennial herb.
In other words, this plant does not need to be replanted annually and can be part of an edible garden. This plant is adorned with terete culms (a circular aerial grass or sedge stem) that can grow anywhere between 5-20mm. Leaves are almost completely absent from this plant but have involucral bracts (unique leaves associated with the reproduction of the plant).
Typically, the jointed flatsedge thrives in tropical or subtropical regions near rivers, swamps, lakes, or streams.
Therefore, the plant can usually be found in the southeastern parts of the United States, the West Indies, southern Asia, Africa, and South America. Its roots release a light, woody fragrance that can be harvested as a spice. In addition, once the spice is harvested, you can use it as an essential oil, for medical purposes, perfume, or to add a unique taste to your food.
2. C. bipartitus
This variety, also known as the slender flatsedge or river cyperus, is a common annual plant usually in the flat and wet regions of the Americas. Due to their inclination to wet environments, river cyperus resides by sandbars, rivers, lakes, and even ditches.
In addition to preferring wet climates, their fibrous root and thin stems stay closer to the ground and typically do not exceed 25 cm. The stems and the root take up most of the plant, but one to three leaves usually grow on the stems.
That being said, flowering does occur within the flat spikelets of the plant. Spikelets are an unbranched inflorescence (cluster of flowers arranged on the main stem) and, in this plant’s case, are dark, reddish-brown bracts.
3. C. croceus
This plant is also known as Baldwin’s Flatsedge that prefers moist areas like floodplains and fluvial environments (close-connected activity of rivers, lakes, or other bodies of moving water). Their preferred environment also includes moist areas in pine forests, swampy woodlands, upland hardwood forests, and dry ponds. Therefore, this plant can grow in a range of soils from sand to drying loamy sand.
The Baldwin’s Flatsedge can grow to be 1-3 feet in height accompanied by yellow-green leaves and spiked inflorescences. Achenes (dry, one-seeded fruit that doesn’t open to produce seed) also come to fruition and are reddish-brown or almost black.
This plant is a perennial with fibrous roots, but its flowering season can be between May through November with its peak season being November.
4. C. difformis
Also known as the Smallflower Umbrella-Sedge, Variable Flatsedge, and the Rice Sedge, this plant is an invasive type of Cyperus often invading sugarcane or rice fields. It is rarely grown as a houseplant since it needs so much water – and due to its highly problematic nature.
In fact, these plants can negatively affect the harvest of a lot of rice and sugarcane fields. They are known as one of the worst weeds in the world as it is dominant. The Rice Sedge prefers aquatic and moist environments while residing in Australia, southern Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The stems of the plant are soft, but erect, and can reach up to 30 cm in height.
In terms of leaves and flowering, this variety of Cyperus has a few wispy leaves at its base while its flowers cover spikelets near the top of the plant and are usually light brown in color. The generation rate is rather short for this species of plant, coming in at around 4-6 weeks from seed to seed.
Despite its relatively short generation period, it has been noted that the Variable Flatsedge is extending outside of its normal places of origin.
5. C. elegans
C. elegans is an elegant type of Cyperus also known as the Royal Flatsedge. This plant is a perennial herb that prefers damp pastures, riverbanks, and pond shores. It grows in some southern states in the United States, most of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
The flowering season for the Royal Flatsedge is during the summer months. Similar to the C. croceus, its fruit are achenes that look like small sea urchins. The flowers are reddish-brown or dark brown in color and sit on the spindly stems of the plant.
6. C. flaccidus
Unlike other Cyperus types listed in this article, C. flaccidus is much more grass-like in the texture and sturdiness of its stems. In other words, this plant’s stems are softer and wispier than other Cyperus types. Native to the eastern states of Australia, this plant thrives in wetter environments such as creek beds.
This plant produces green flowers within the months of April and May. The inflorescences of this plant sit between three to seven branches and only reach 8 cm in length. About 20 flowers cluster in the flattened spikelets of this plant (there are usually around two to eight spikelets per plant).
7. C. grayoides
Also known as the Illinois Flatsedge, C. grayoides heavily populates states in the U.S. such as Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, and Missouri. This type of Cyperus is a perennial herb and, unlike the C. articulatus, is often found on roadsides where sandy soils are abundant.
Because these plants prefer locations like roadsides, they are often disturbed by strong winds, foot traffic, or erosion of dunes. In addition, this plant’s natural habitat is threatened by ever-increasing development such as housing complexes, shopping centers, gas stations, etc.
If that wasn’t enough, grazing and sand mining are also common threats to the Illinois Flatsedge’s habitat. In all, the C. grayoides is considered a threatened type of Cyperus.
This plant grows from networks of tuberous rhizomes (a root system that naturally houses essential nutrients that is subterranean). Its stems are triangular in shape and can grow up to 35 to 48 cm tall. The Illinois Flatsedge also has gray-green leaves that are quite long (25 cm) and rounded, spikey inflorescence that enclose many spikelets.
8. C. pennatiformis
This type (also known as the Coastal Flatsedge) is among the rarest species of sedge. This type of Cyperus is endangered and, because of that, needed to be transported and replanted on different islands in Hawaii such as Oahu.
The reason this species is endangered is primarily due to habitat destruction and degradation. Despite still being on the endangered species list, the Coastal Flatsedge seems to be reproducing at a good rate.
As stated previously, this type is native to the islands of Hawaii and therefore prefers tropical, moist climates. They have a cluster of umbrella-shaped flowers on top of the main stem accompanied by yellowish and grayish spikelets. This plant typically has 18 spikes in which its spikelets contain about 25 flowers.
On a whole, the Coastal Flatsedge can reach anywhere from 40 cm to 1.2 meters tall with incredibly long, leathery leaves that can get as long as the stems themselves.
9. C. vaginatus
Much like the C. articulatus and the C. elegans, the C. vaginatus is considered a perennial herb. Commonly known as the Stiff-Leaf Sedge or Stiff-Flat-sedge, this type of Cyperus is native to Australia and, more specifically, to western Australia.
Similar to most other Cyperus types, the Stiff-Leaf Sedge prefers tropical or subtropical climates. Therefore, you can find this plant near damp or moist environments like alongside creeks or streams.
As far as the inflorescences, it has about four to twelve primary branches. In addition, the spikelets are flat with between four to fifteen clusters within each spikelet. The Stiff-Leaf Sedge does flower and it does so between November and February.
Additionally, the flowers are green-brown and are the predecessors to a trigonous nut that is grey-brown. Lastly, the plant does have interesting uses outside of ornamentation. For example, the fiber of the plant can be used to make nets and cordage.
10. C. zollingeri
Also known as the Roadside Flatsedge, C. zollingeri resides in tropical environments such as Australia, Asia, and Africa. Its preferred soil is a sandy-clay mixture which is typically found by creeks and streams. This type is grass-like and herb-like with its blooming season being between April and May.
Its root system is fibrous and dense while the stems are trigonous (triangular) and quite long. The Roadside Flatsedge has small sheath leaves with ligule (outgrowth at the junction of the leaf). When it flowers, it produces loose inflorescence with spikelets that contain one to three rays. After the plant flowers, it produces a brown or black trigonous nut.
11. C. alternifolius
This type is more commonly known as the Umbrella Palm, Umbrella Sedge, or the Umbrella Papyrus. If you’re looking for a unique houseplant, this type of Cyperus might be a good fit for your home! This plant grows tall (3 feet) and requires a 2-5 gallon pot if you are keeping it as a houseplant. It has long, spikey leaves that fan out at the top of the stem.
This plant is not all that hardy and needs proper protection when temperatures dip a considerable amount.
As with most Cyperus types, this houseplant needs regular watering, a humid environment, fertile soil, and healthy amounts of sunlight. Luckily, this plant is easily propagated so you can plant more if you desire!
12. C. Rigidellus
C. rigidellus is a short-lived perennial that is grass-like. It can grow about five to forty cm in height and have culms that reach to three to twenty-five cm. This type is native to western Australia and can be found around a creek or stream in loamy-sand or clay-sand soil.
This plant does flower and its blooming season is within the months of April to November. After flowering, the plant produces trigonous light brown nuts.
A Rainbow of Cyperus Plants to Grow
As you can see, there is a Cyperus plant for almost every continent – and for every preference.
While it won’t always be easy to find these Cyperus plants available for home growers, it’s clear that there is a species for every need.
Mostly found in moist, damp environments around bodies of water, a unique Cyperus plant can provide different uses for humans and animals alike. Whether it’s a perennial herb like the C. articullatus or an annual like the C. bipartitus, these plants are relatively hardy and reproduce at a fast rate.
However, there are some types that are endangered such as the C. pennatiformis and are under special protection. Although most of these types can reproduce easily (as some of them are rather invasive), protective action takes place as an action against their habitats being damaged.
If you live in a temperate, tropical, or subtropical location, you most likely have access to at least one type of Cyperus. If you’re curious, head out and explore creeks, ditches, streams, or riverbeds to find what Cyperus is unique to your area – and consider propagating one today.
FAQs
How many species of Cyperus are there?
There are over 600 species of Cyperus, commonly known as sedges, found worldwide.
Is Cyperus a sedge?
Yes, Cyperus is a genus of plants commonly known as sedges. They are members of the Cyperaceae family, which also includes other genera of sedges.
What is annual Cyperus?
“Annual Cyperus” may refer to specific species of Cyperus that complete their life cycle within a single growing season. These annual species typically germinate, grow, flower, set seed, and die within one year. One example is Cyperus esculentus, also known as yellow nutsedge or chufa, which is an annual plant grown for its edible tubers.
*image by PantherMediaSeller/depositphotos
