Dwarf papyrus sedge (Cyperus haspan, Sp. Pl.: 45 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 45 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cyperus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

The Dwarf Papyrus Sedge, scientifically known as Cyperus haspan, is a notable member of the Cyperaceae family. Originally catalogued in 1753, this resilient plant thrives predominantly in the tropical and subtropical regions across the globe.

Cyperus haspan is characterized by its slender, grass-like appearance which makes it a fascinating element in landscapes, wetlands, and decorative water gardens. Despite its delicate appearance, the plant is remarkably hardy, adapting well to both wet and periodically dry conditions. The plant’s long, needle-like stems, crowned with clusters of tiny, inconspicuous flowers, make it not only an excellent choice for ornamental purposes but also beneficial for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion in its natural habitat.

In natural ecosystems, the Dwarf Papyrus Sedge plays a significant role in maintaining water quality by filtering sediments and pollutants. This adaptability to various environments coupled with its ecological benefits highlights the importance of Cyperus haspan in both horticulture and natural conservation efforts.

Whether used as a striking highlight in ornamental ponds or as a functional plant in ecological restoration projects, the Dwarf Papyrus Sedge exemplifies resilience and adaptability, essential traits that underline the significance of Cyperus haspan in both natural and designed landscapes.

Common Names

Eng: haspan flatsedge, dwarf papyrus sedge, haspan flat sedge
Swe: haspansäv
Spa: papiro enano
En: Dwarf papyrus sedge, Haspan flat sedge, Haspan flatsedge, Sheathed Flat Sedge
Zh: 畦畔莎草
Fr: Mangé la terre
Ru: Сыть гаспан
Es: Papiro enano
Sv: Haspansäv
Zh-tw: 畦畔莎草
Th: กกนา
Zh-hant: 畦畔莎草

Synonyms

• Cyperus cayennensis (Link)
• Cyperus autumnalis (Vahl)
• Cyperus nudus (Kunth)
• Cyperus gracilis (Muhl.)
• Cyperus princeae (C.B.Clarke)
• Cyperus adenophorus var. aphyllus (Boeckeler)
• Cyperus adenophorus (Schrad. ex Nees)
• Cyperus laticulmis (Spreng.)
• Cyperus tunicatus (Schult.)
• Cyperus graminifolius (Poir.)
• Cyperus muehlenbergii (Spreng.)
• Cyperus haspan var. bulboides (Kük.)
• Cyperus vaginatus (Link)
• Cyperus haspan var. amplissimus (Kük.)
• Cyperus haspan var. adenophorus ((Schrad. ex Nees) Kük.)
• Cyperus platyculmis (R.Br.)
• Cyperus haspan var. riparius (Kük.)
• Cyperus haspan var. tuberifer (T.Koyama)
• Cyperus haspan var. firmicaulis (Kük.)
• Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides ((Lam.) Kük.)
• Cyperus nudus var. firmior (J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Cyperus haspan var. coarctatus (Nees)
• Cyperus nudus var. flaccidior (J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Cyperus haspan f. major (C.B.Clarke)
• Cyperus junceus (Link)
• Cyperus haspan var. flaccidissimus (Kük.)
• Cyperus efoliatus (Boeckeler)
• Cyperus juncoides (Lam.)
• Cyperus hyemalis (Pursh ex C.B.Clarke)
• Cyperus haspan var. dietrichiae (Domin)
• Cyperus leptos (Schult.)
• Cyperus phaeorhizus (K.Schum.)
• Cyperus haspan var. americanus (Boeckeler)
• Cyperus planiculmis (Steud.)
• Cyperus pedatus (Nees)
• Cyperus haspan f. coarctatus ((Nees) Osten)
• Cyperus microcarpus (Boeckeler)
• Cyperus phaeorhizus var. princeae ((C.B.Clarke) Kük.)
• Cyperus riparius (Schrad. ex Nees)
• Cyperus stellatus (Link)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Somalia (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Togo (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 4, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2019 by Rubio Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2021 by Alan Goldin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Muñoz Mayela (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Habit

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2019 by Aurélie vigouroux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 23, 2022 by Ruth Tang (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2022 by Emile KOKÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by simonperez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2020 by Alfonso Ana Laura (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2015 by Ruth (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 21, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 28, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 15, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304701-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2715828)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cyperus haspan L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.5