Umbrella sedge (Cyperus eragrostis, Tabl. Encycl. 1: 146 (1791))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Tabl. Encycl. 1: 146 (1791)

Year: 1791

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cyperus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Easter I., America

Description

Umbrella Sedge

The Umbrella Sedge, scientifically known as Cyperus eragrostis, is a fascinating and resilient member of the Cyperaceae family, originally classified by the esteemed botanist Lam. in 1791, referenced in “Tabl. Encycl. 1: 146”. This plant is notable for its extensive geographical distribution, being found in regions ranging from Easter Island to various parts of America.

As its common name suggests, the Umbrella Sedge features a unique, umbrella-like appearance. This is characterized by its radial arrangement of slender leaves atop tall, stout stems, giving it a distinctive and graceful silhouette in the landscape. The plant typically thrives in wet and marshy environments, favoring conditions where its roots can remain saturated.

One of the remarkable attributes of Cyperus eragrostis is its adaptability. While it naturally inhabits wetland areas, such as the edges of ponds and streams, it is also capable of enduring less ideal conditions, which contributes to its widespread presence beyond its native range. The species has played an essential role in various ecosystems, providing habitat and resources for numerous wildlife species.

In terms of its morphological characteristics, the Umbrella Sedge produces greenish, spikelet flowers grouped in dense clusters. These clusters eventually give way to small, brownish seeds, which facilitate the plant’s propagation in favorable growing conditions. The growth pattern of Umbrella Sedge allows it to form dense stands, which can be instrumental in soil stabilization and erosion control along water bodies.

The Umbrella Sedge has been of particular interest to botanists and ecologists for its contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem services. It’s also valued in the horticultural world for its ornamental appeal and utility in water gardens and naturalized planting schemes.

Overall, Cyperus eragrostis exhibits a blend of beauty and utility, making it a noteworthy species within the Cyperaceae family. Its ability to flourish across diverse environments highlights its resilience and ecological significance. Whether admired in its natural swampy habitat or incorporated into managed gardens, the Umbrella Sedge remains a charming and valuable plant.

Common Names

Nld: bleek cypergras
Dan: bleg fladaks
Deu: frischgrünes zypergras, liebesgrasartiges zypergras
Eng: pale galingale, pale galingale, tall flatsedge, tall flatsedge, umbrella sedge, drain flat sedge, tall flat sedge, tall cyperus
Fra: souchet fausse éragrostide, souchet robuste, souchet vigoureux
Ita: zigolo, zigolo false panicella
Spa: cortadera, lleivun
Hun: fakó palka*
Por: junção
Ces: šáchor mili
Swe: blekag
Cym: ysnoden fair welw, ysnoden-fair welw
En: Umbrella sedge, Pale galingale, Tall flat sedge, Drain flat sedge, Tall flatsedge, Pale galingale, Tall flatsedge, Tall cyperus
Ar: سعد طويل مسطح الأوراق
Ca: Serrana d’Amèrica
Zh: 密穗莎草, 頭穗莎草
Cs: Šáchor miličkový, Šáchor mili
Da: Bleg fladaks
Nl: Bleek cypergras
Fi: Röllisädekaisla
Fr: Souchet vigoureux, Souchet fausse éragrostide, Souchet robuste
De: Frischgrünes Zypergras, Liebesgrasartiges Zypergras, Eragrostis-Zypergras
Hu: Fakó palka*
It: Zigolo, Zigolo false panicella
Pt: Junção
Es: Cortadera, Lleivun, Ritru
Sv: Blekag
Zh-tw: 頭穗莎草
Cy: Ysnoden-Fair welw, Ysnoden Fair Welw

Synonyms

• Cyperus vegetus var. triangularis (Boeckeler)
• Cyperus vegetus var. compactus (Desv.)
• Cyperus luzulae (Hochst. ex Steud.)
• Cyperus eragrostis var. compactus ((Desv.) Kük.)
• Cyperus vegetus var. limbata (C.B.Clarke)
• Cyperus prionotropis (Steud.)
• Cyperus eragrostis f. tener (Kük.)
• Cyperus vegetus var. obtusangulus (Kuntze)
• Cyperus vegetus var. trigonus (Kuntze)
• Cyperus eragrostis f. latifrons (Kük.)
• Cyperus eragrostis var. spectabilis (Makino)
• Chlorocyperus eragrostis ((Lam.) Rikli)
• Cyperus declinatus (Moench)
• Cyperus eragrostis f. rubromarginatus (Kük.)
• Cyperus monandrus (Roth)
• Cyperus vegetus (Willd.)
• Cyperus declinatus var. limbatus (Druce)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Easter Is. (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Juan Fernández Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Texas (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Washington (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2018 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 11, 2019 by Julie Hadeed (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2022 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Jennifer Lundberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Feal Noela (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2018 by Sherry Walsh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2017 by laure chevillard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2017 by Xurxo Seoane Carulo (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Angélique Villemain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Luque carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2020 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by Owen Maddocks (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 18, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Dimas Fernández Otero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Christophe Gautreau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by sophie begin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Hanneke de Haan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Villena Rojas Marcelo (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/2715482)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304426-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cyperus eragrostis Lam.)

Specifications

Growth