Cyperus eragrostis

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Cyperus eragrostis
Cyperus eragrostis goldengatepark.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Cyperus
Species:
C. eragrostis
Binomial name
Cyperus eragrostis
Synonyms

Cyperus vegetus

Flowers Cyperus eragrostis.jpg
Flowers
MHNT specimen of seedhead. Cyperus eragrostis MHNT.BOT.2007.40.47.jpg
MHNT specimen of seedhead.

Cyperus eragrostis is a species of sedge known by several common names, including tall flatsedge, nutgrass, tall nutgrass, umbrella sedge, chufa, Earth almond, zula nuts, edible galingale and pale galingale. [1]

Contents

Distribution

This species is native to the West Coast of North America from California to Washington, the Southeastern United States, Jamaica, and South America. [2] [3] [4] [5] It has become naturalized elsewhere in some regions in the northeastern and southeastern U.S., Europe, South Africa, and various oceanic islands (Azores, Canary Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Norfolk Island, Easter Island, etc.). [3] [6] [7] It can become a weed where it is introduced; it has been known to infest rice fields.

It is found in riparian areas, roadsides ditches, damp grasslands, and other moist habitats. [5]

Description

Cyperus eragrostis is an herbaceous perennial growing from rhizomes. It is a green sedge with tall, erect stems, 10–90 centimetres (3.9–35.4 in) in height. Long, thin, pointed leaves radiate from the top, similar to parasol ribs.

Its flowers are found within tough, rounded, greenish-yellow or beige spikelets. Fruiting is in the summer. [5]

See also

References

  1. USDA plant guide
  2. GRIN-Global Web v 1.9.4.2: Taxonomy of Cyperus eragrostis
  3. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. USDA . accessed 1.23.2013
  5. 1 2 3 Cyperus eragrostis in Flora of North America @ efloras.org . accessed 1.23.2013
  6. Altervista Flora Italiana, Zigolo, Tall Flatsedge, Cyperus eragrostis Lam. includes photos plus distribution maps for Europe and North America
  7. Flora of China Vol. 23 Page 229, 密穗莎草 mi sui suo cao Cyperus eragrostis Lamarck, Tabl. Encycl. 1: 146. 1791.