Poorland flat sedge (Cyperus compressus, Sp. Pl.: 46 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 46 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cyperus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

Poorland flat sedge, known scientifically as Cyperus compressus, is a resilient and widespread perennial plant typically found in tropical and subtropical regions. This hardy species thrives in a variety of soil conditions and is commonly encountered in disturbed areas, which is perhaps indicative of its common name.

Cyperus compressus belongs to the Cyperaceae family, a notable group of plants characterized by their grass-like appearance and prominent role in various ecosystems. This particular sedge can be distinguished by its flat and compressed stems, a feature that sets it apart from many of its relatives within the Cyperus genus.

First documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, Cyperus compressus has been recognized in scientific literature for centuries. Its robust adaptability allows it to proliferate in regions that might be less hospitable to other plant species, hence earning it the moniker ‘poorland’ flat sedge. Despite its resilience, the plant plays a nuanced role in its habitat, contributing to soil stability and providing cover for small wildlife.

Overall, Cyperus compressus is a fascinating example of botanical endurance and ecological significance. Its presence across diverse landscapes underscores its ability to flourish where others cannot, making it a plant worth noting for both botanists and environmental enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: poorland flatsedge, flat sedge, poorland flat sedge
Spa: juncia anual, juncia erizo, juncia plana
Ara: se’ed
En: Poorland flat sedge, Flat sedge, Poorland flatsedge, Annual sedge
Ar: سعد (سِعْد، سَعْد)، ديس (دِيس), سمار (سَمار، سُمار), Se’ed
Fr: Scirpe comprimé, Souchet comprimé, Souchet brun, Souchet vigoureux, Souchet robuste
Pt-br: Junquinho, Tiririca
Es: Juncia anual, Juncia erizo, Juncia plana

Synonyms

• Cyperus caffer (G.Bertol.)
• Cyperus compressus var. brachiatus ((Poir.) Nees)
• Cyperus brachiatus (Poir.)
• Cyperus compressus var. floribundus (E.G.Camus)
• Cyperus compressus var. capillaceus (C.B.Clarke)
• Cyperus pectinatus (Roxb.)
• Cyperus compressus var. compositus (J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Cyperus compressus subsp. micranthus (T.Koyama)
• Cyperus pectiniformis (Schult.)
• Cyperus meyenii (Nees & Arn.)
• Cyperus compressus f. depauperatus (Domin)
• Cyperus giraudyi (Steud.)
• Cyperus compressus var. pectiniformis ((Schult.) C.B.Clarke)
• Cyperus compressus var. laxus (E.G.Camus)
• Cyperus dilutus f. decolorans (Kük.)
• Cyperus compressus var. simplex (J.Presl & C.Presl)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alabama (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Egypt (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Gilbert Is. (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazan-retto (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Korea (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Laos (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Marshall Is. (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New York (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Texas (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Togo (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Feb 7, 2007 by Hyoscyame (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Gonçalves da Cunha Lucas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Arben Virgota, S.Pi., M.Si. – (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. (public)

Flower

Taken Nov 28, 2020 by Perdina Hadyan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2019 by Uday Wali (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2022 by sachin sharma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by sachin sharma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Gonçalves da Cunha Lucas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2022 by Natalia Gomez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2020 by Perdina Hadyan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2022 by Fábio & Daniele Santos (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 7, 2007 by Hyoscyame (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2009 by EOL − Wen, Jun (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Feb 7, 2007 by Hyoscyame (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2713479)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304155-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cyperus compressus L.)

Specifications

Growth