Digitate cyperus (Cyperus digitatus, Fl. Ind. 1: 209 (1820))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Roxb.

Bibliography: Fl. Ind. 1: 209 (1820)

Year: 1820

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cyperus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

Digitate cyperus, scientifically known as Cyperus digitatus, is a notable member of the Cyperaceae family. Described by Roxb. and first recorded in the “Flora Indica” in 1820, this plant is a prevalent species in tropical and subtropical regions across the globe.

Cyperus digitatus thrives in a variety of climates within these warmer areas, demonstrating a high level of adaptability to different environmental conditions. The plant is easily identifiable by its distinctive, digit-like leaf arrangement, which not only adds to its uniqueness but also contributes to its common name, Digitate cyperus.

This species, like others in the Cyperaceae family, typically inhabits moist and wet environments, often found in marshes, along the banks of streams, and in other damp habitats. Its ability to grow vigorously in these areas makes it both a resilient and sometimes invasive plant.

Beyond its ecological presence, Digitate cyperus can sometimes be utilized in traditional practices and ecological management, leveraging its natural growth patterns to stabilize soils and manage wetland ecosystems. While not typically cultivated for ornamental purposes, its peculiar appearance and robust nature make it an interesting subject for botanists and plant enthusiasts.

In summary, Digitate cyperus (Cyperus digitatus) is a plant of considerable interest within tropical and subtropical regions, offering valuable ecological benefits and a unique presence in the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Eng: digitate cyperus, finger flat sedge, finger flatsedge
Ara: dis, seraqón
Fra: souchet digité
En: Digitate cyperus, Finger flat sedge, Finger flatsedge, Finger flatsegde, Red-root Flatsedge
Ar: سعد (سِعْد، سَعْد)، ديس (دِيس), سمار (سَمار، سُمار), Dis, Seraqón
Fr: Souchet Digité

Synonyms

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Caprivi Strip (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Haiti (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Texas (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Galápagos (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Jul 4, 2014 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Jul 4, 2014 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2714238)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304315-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cyperus digitatus Roxb.)

Specifications

Growth