Family: Cyperaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Cent. Pl. II: 6 (1756)
Year: 1756
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cyperus
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. to N. America
Description
The Bearded flat sedge, scientifically known as Cyperus squarrosus, is an intriguing member of the Cyperaceae family. Initially cataloged in “Cent. Pl. II: 6” in 1756 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts for centuries.
Cyperus squarrosus thrives in both tropical and subtropical regions, extending its reach to North America, showcasing its adaptability across diverse climates. This plant’s common name, Bearded flat sedge, is derived from its unique physical characteristics. The sedge features distinctive, bristly spikelets that resemble a coarse beard, adding to its visual appeal and making it easily identifiable in the wild.
As a member of the Cyperaceae family, the Bearded flat sedge shares many traits with its relatives, such as a preference for moist habitats. It commonly inhabits wetland areas, marshes, and alongside streams, where it contributes to the ecological balance by providing habitat and food for various wildlife.
Though often overlooked in favor of more showy plants, the Bearded flat sedge serves a crucial role in its ecosystems. Its presence helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, and it can be a valuable indicator of the health of a habitat. For those interested in native plants and wetlands restoration, Cyperus squarrosus can be an essential species to consider.
In summary, Cyperus squarrosus, or the Bearded flat sedge, is a fascinating and robust plant that underscores the diversity and complexity of the Cyperaceae family. Its wide geographical range and ecological significance make it a noteworthy subject of study and an important component of many wetland environments.
Common Names
Eng: bearded flat sedge, bearded flatsedge, awned flatsedge, awned cyperus, awned nutsedge, squarrose flatsedge, squarrose umbrella sedge
Ita: zigolo pavese
Fra: souchet courbé
En: Bearded flat sedge, Bearded flatsedge, Awned Flat Sedge, Awned flatsedge, Bearded nutgrass, Awned cyperus, Awned nutsedge, Squarrose flatsedge, Squarrose umbrella sedge
Zh: 具芒鳞砖子苗
Fr: Souchet courbé
It: Zigolo pavese
Synonyms
- Cyperus versicolor (Nees)
- Cyperus aristatus (Rottb.)
- Cyperus uncinatus (R.Br.)
- Cyperus inflexus var. elongatus (Hook.f.)
- Mariscus squarrosus ((L.) C.B.Clarke)
- Cyperus aristatus f. falciculosus ((Liebm.) Kük.)
- Isolepis echinulata (Kunth)
- Cyperus aristatus f. inflexus ((Muhl.) C.B.Clarke)
- Cyperus aristatus var. inflexus ((Muhl.) Boeckeler ex Kük.)
- Cyperus aristatus var. semiglobosus (Kük.)
- Cyperus aristatus var. runyonii (O’Neill)
- Cyperus squarrosus var. cylindraceus (Benth.)
- Scirpus intricatus (L.)
- Cyperus aristatus var. floribundus (E.G.Camus)
- Cyperus squarrosus var. congestus (Benth.)
- Dichostylis squarrosa ((L.) Palla)
- Cyperus squarrosus var. runyonii ((O’Neill) S.D.Jones & Wipff)
- Pycreus squarrosus ((L.) Nees)
- Cyperus falciculosus (Liebm.)
- Cyperus aureus (J.Presl & C.Presl)
- Mariscus intricatus ((L.) Cufod.)
- Cyperus brownii (Roem. & Schult.)
- Dichostylis aristata ((Rottb.) Palla)
- Cyperus inflexus var. acaulis (Hook.f.)
- Cyperus purshii (Roem. & Schult.)
- Scirpus lappaceus (Lam.)
- Cyperus inflexus (Muhl.)
- Cyperus aristatus var. versicolor ((Nees) Boeckeler)
- Chlorocyperus inflexus ((Muhl.) Palla)
- Cyperus arsitatus var. perennis (M.E.Jones)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Alabama (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Aruba (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- California (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Free State (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- India (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Maine (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mali (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- New York (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Oman (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Socotra (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South Australia (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Togo (native)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Utah (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Italy (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Dr Ashwin jamadagni Rao (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 2, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 2, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 2, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 2, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 2, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2714313)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:324890-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cyperus squarrosus L.)