The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus Carex with over 2,000 species.
Eleocharis is a virtually cosmopolitan genus of 250 or more species of flowering plants in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words ἕλειος (heleios), meaning "marsh dweller," and χάρις (charis), meaning "grace." Members of the genus are known commonly as spikerushes or spikesedges. The genus has a geographically cosmopolitan distribution, with centers of diversity in the Amazon Rainforest and adjacent eastern slopes of the South American Andes, northern Australia, eastern North America, California, Southern Africa, and subtropical Asia. The vast majority of Eleocharis species grow in aquatic or mesic habitats from sea level to higher than 5,000 meters in elevation.
Spinifex longifolius, commonly known as beach spinifex, is a perennial grass that grows in sandy regions along the seacoast. It also lives in most deserts around Australia.
Schoenus is a predominately austral genus of sedges, commonly known as bogrushes, or veldrushes in South Africa. Species of this genus occur mainly in South Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia. Others are found in scattered locations worldwide, from Europe to Asia, North Africa and the Americas. Three species occur in the peatlands of southern South America, including S. antarcticus which is found in Tierra del Fuego, where it forms a component of hyperhumid Magellanic moorland.
Isolepis is a cosmopolitan genus of sedge containing around 70 species. Isolepis is found in cool tropical and temperate climates often in Africa and Australasia.
Chloanthes is a genus of four species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to Australia. Plants in this genus are shrubs with hairy foliage, blistered or wrinkly leaves and flowers with five petals fused at the base, usually with two "lips".
Johnsonia is a genus five species of herbs in the family Asphodelaceae, all of which are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. They are grass-like plants with minute flowers surrounded by bracts which are often tinged with white, pink or cream.
Phlebocarya is a genus of herbs in the family Haemodoraceae, first described as a genus in 1810. The entire genus is endemic to the southwestern part of Western Australia.
Chaetanthus is a group of plants in the Restionaceae described as a genus in 1810. The entire genus is endemic to the southern part of Western Australia.
Loxocarya is a plant genus in the family Restionaceae, described as a genus in 1810.
Carex inversa, commonly known as knob sedge, is a species of sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to parts of Australia and New Zealand and has also been introduced into Great Britain.
Cyperus concinnus is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to Australia, and found in New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Cyperus pulchellus is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to northern Australia, tropical Africa, northwest Madagascar and Southeast Asia.
Ptilothrix deusta is a sedge in the family Cyperaceae found in south eastern Australia. It is commonly seen in wet sandy soils in heathland, growing from 30 to 60 cm tall. This is one of the many plants first published by Robert Brown with the type known as "(J.) v.v." appearing in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen in 1810 as Carpha deusta. It was transferred to the genus, Ptilothrix, in 1994 by Karen Wilson. The genus name is derived from ancient Greek, meaning feather hair. The specific epithet deusta is derived from the Latin with a meaning of burnt.
Cyperus enervis is a species of sedge that is endemic to eastern Australia.
Cyperus fulvus is a species of sedge that is endemic to Papua New Guinea and north eastern Australia.
Cyperus lucidus is a species of sedge that is native to Australia and New Guinea.
Cyperus subulatus, commonly known as the pointed flat-sedge, is a species of sedge that is endemic to eastern Australia.
Schoenus ericetorum, known as heath bog-rush, is a species of sedge native to eastern Australia. A tufted perennial grass-like plant growing to 40 cm tall. Often seen in heath and dry eucalyptus forest on sandy soils. This is one of the many plants first published by Robert Brown with the type known as "(J.) v.v." It appears in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen in 1810.
Schoenus pedicellatus is a species in family Cyperaceae, first described by Robert Brown in 1810 as Chaetospora pedicellata, but assigned to the genus, Schoenus, in 1811 by Jean Louis Marie Poiret. Note that GBIF and Plants of the World Online both give the genus change as being by Roem. & Schult. However the species is Australian and the text by Poiret is earlier than that of Roemer and Schultes.
