Plant Descriptions – Cynanchum viminale – Cyperus unioloides

Cynanchum viminale

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Class: Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae

Genus: From Kynos, which is Ancient Greek for a dog and Anchein, which is Ancient Greek for to choke. It refers to several old European species, which had strangled dogs.

Specie: From Itéa, which is Ancient Greek or much later Vīmen, which is late Latin for weeping or to weep. It refers plants, which have a weeping habit.

Sub specie: This species is still known as Sarcostemma in some quarters. The species is rather confusing with the number of subspecies being controversial and in dispute.

Common Name: Dog strangling Vine, Caustic Creeper, Caustic Bush or Sacred Soma.

Distribution:

Cynanchum viminale is found in the northern three quarters of Australia and extending down to the coast in South Australia.

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum is found in a line north and east from One Arm Point on north Dampier Penninsular in north west Western Australia to cabbage Tree Island near Port Stevens.

Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe is found generally in the northern three quarters of Australia and extending down to the coast in South Australia except in eastern New South Wales and most of eastern Queensland.

It is also found from South Africa throughout much of Africa, Southern China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Middle East, Myanmar, New Guinee, Papua, Thailand, Vietnam and many of the Pacific Island Nations.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cynanchum+viminale#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cynanchum viminale prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in a wide variety of environments from open woodlands, escarpments, headlands, backdunes, semi-arid plains to riverine forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in July to 46 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 150mm to 2600mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Cynanchum viminale prefers sand to medium clays of various depths from skeletal to deep loams. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, sandstone, garanite. Podsolics, shales,, accumulated beach sands, accumulated desert sands, screes and metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 4pH to 8pH. It does not tolerate water logged. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 6m by 3m to 6m

Characteristics:

Cynanchum viminale grows as a prostrate or ersct succulent vine scrambling over other vegetation. The terete grey-green stems and branches produce a caustic milky sap when broken.

The leaves are leafless or reduced to minute ovate-triangular scale that measure 1mm to in length.

Inflorescences of Cynanchum viminale are born on a thickened spherical umbels from the nodes or short lateral shoots. The sweetly scented, creamy flowers. The umbels contain 5 to 30 flowered. The pedicels are glabrous to slightly covered in pubescent hairs and measure 2mm to 30mm in length. The minute bracts are linear-lanceolate. The 5 ovate to suborbicular sepals measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length. The apexes are acute or obtuse with the margins being membranous and having glandular hairs internally near the base. The pale greenish white, creamy-white or sulphur-coloured, campanulate corollas are glabrous. The thick, spreading petals are divided almost to the base and ovate-oblong, subacute slightly curving upwards. They measure 4mm to 8mm in length. The white, ring-like outer corona is crenately 10 lobed and is much shorter than gynostegium. The thick, fleshy lobes of the inner corona are obtuse and measure 0.6mm to 2mm in length and are as long or lightly longer as the staminal column and conceal the anther. The staminal column is very short. The stigmatic head is conical or depressed conical. The clavate pollen masses are compressed.

Cynanchum viminale’s flowers appear from January to November when conditions are favourable. The peak flowering period lasts for 2 to 3 weeks usually at the beginning of the wet season with individual flowers opening for 4 to 5 days.

The fruits of Cynanchum viminale are spindle shape follicles with a pair of short horns at each end. The follicles measure 50mm to 180mm in length by 6mm to 9mm in diameter. The grey-green follicles turn brown when ripe and split longitudinally to release the seeds.

The ovate, plano-convex, narrowly margined, slightly denticulate or entire at the broad end seeds are covered in minute tufted-puberulous on the convex side, while it is almost glabrous on the flat side. The seeds measure 3mm to 6mm in length. The Coma is sessile stalkless parachute measures 18mm in length.

Wildlife:

Cynanchum viminale is a host plant for the larval stages of the Australian Crow Butterfly, Euploea core. Tetragonula carbonaria and the Blue banded bee Amegilla cingulata

Cultivation:

Cynanchum viminale would make a very good addition to any garden especially on back dune sands and in semi arid gardens.

It often reaches its potential in just 4 to 5 years and flowers from the third or fourth year from seed.

Cynanchum viminale is a succulent plant with rambling stems that coil around supports and is suitable for hanging baskets or ewers on the veranda. Under optimum conditions, the stems can grow prodigiously to several meters in length in one or two years.

The branchies can grow in all directions, piling atop one another. This gives the plants a distinct advantage in following contours or growing over rocks, boulders, or logs to form unusual architectural patterns on the ground.

Of course, you can manage this plant without incident for as long as you practice common sense despite the burning of healthy skin and sever irritation to the eyes from the latex.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Cynanchum viminale can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Do not over water as the seeds will rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a cool shaded area with 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house. When the seedlings are 20 to 25 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Cuttings:

Fortunately Cynanchum viminale cuttings are probably very easy to strike. Use 100mm to 200mm long cuttings from the present season’s growth that have 2 pairs of nodes. Take them in warmer months of the year. Allow the cuttings to air dry for a couple of days in a cool dry area.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding two thirds sharp clean river sand, one third peat or one third perlite. These ingredients must be sterilized,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings to hardwood material,

4 Hormone s are not required,

5 Place the cuttings in a tray at around 45 degrees with the upper pair of nodes just above the surface,

6 Place in a semi shaded, warm position and water sparingly,

7 When the cuttings have struck, slowly move to a more open position with some morning or afternoon sun,

8 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on in 150mm pots.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

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Cynometra iripa

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Caesalpiniceae

Subfamily: Caesalpiniodeae

Genus:From Kyon, which is Ancient Greek for a dog and Metra, which is Ancient Greek for the womb or uterus. It refers to fruits, which resemble the form of a dog’s uterus.

Specie: From Ir, which is Ancient Greek for in or into and Rīpāri/Rīpārius, which is Latin for a river or creek bank habitat. It refers to plants, which grow along the various types of waterway banks or the riparian zone such as estuaries.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Wrinkled Pod Mangrove.

Distribution:

Cynometra iripa is found south from the Torres Straight Islands to Mackay is far north eastern coastal Queensland.

I also have an unofficial report from a friend that he had found it on Ingles Island in the Northern Territory back in the early 1970. I would consider his sighting to be reasonable and acceptable, as Cynometra iripa is found from the India and southern China through to the Solomon Islands. It would not be surprising to find it in the Northern Territory as it could even be found further west as far as the Kimberley Range. Since writing the above 3 years ago Cynometra iripa has been discovered around Caledon, Bayfurther adding credence to his sighting.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cycnogeton+procera#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cynometra iripa prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows along creeks, streams or river banks in tidal estuaries and tidal flats, immediately behind the mangroves in transitional forest zones. The altitude ranges from 0 meters ASL. to 12 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 10 degrees in July to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1200mm to an average of 3200mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Cynometra iripa grow on a wide range of better quality sandy loams, light clays and heavy clays or light silts to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from alluvial deposits. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7.5pH are preferred. It is tolerant of water logged soils. Moderately saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 10m to 15m by 10m to 15m.

Characteristics:

Cynometra iripa is a small spreading tree with a grey scabrous trunk. The branches and branchlets are covered in lenticels and are scabrous. The new growth and juvenile branchlets are olive-brown and densely covered in white to pale grey lenticels. Aerial roots are few and close to the ground.

The alternate leaves of Cynometra iripa’s are compound. There are 1 or 2 pairs of opposite leaflets with the apex pair being larger than the base pair. The ovate to broad elliptical leaflets measure 100mm to 130mm in length by 40mm to 65mm in width. The thick rachis and petiolules are reddish-green and glabrous. The lamina is flat and wrinkled. The rachises measure 30mm to 55mm in length while the petiolules measure 2mm to 6mm in length. The base pair of leaflets petiolules are shorter than the apex pairs. The discolourous laminas are deep grass-green to deep blue-green, and semi glossy on the upper lamina a while the lower lamina is paler and dull. The bases are broad cuneate to rounded-cuneate while the apexes are emarginate or at times mucronate. The mid vein is prominent on the lower laminas and visible on the upper laminas.

The inflorescence of Cynometra iripa are born on short axillary racemes from the leaf axils or cauliferous clusters. There are 3 to 7 flowers on a raceme or in the cluster. The thick pedicels are covered in brown pulverulent hairs and measures 6mm to 10mm in length. The flowers open white and turn pale fawn as they age. The 4 or usually 5 linear to linear-lanceolate sepals are densely covered in rusty-brown pulverulent hairs externally and measure 2.5mm to 4mm in length. The 4 or usually 5 linear to linear-lanceolate petals are glabrous and measure 2.5mm to 4mm in length.

The 10 white stamens turn fawn as they age and measure 5.5mm to 6.5mm in length.

The asymmetrical ovate-reniform ovary is densely covered in rusty pulverulent hairs externally and appressed pulverulent hairs internally. The style slants away from the centre of the flower and is densely covered in rusty-brown pulverulent hairs on the lower half. The flowers appear all year with a peak from March to August.

Cynometra iripa’s fruits are strongly wrinkled, oblique, sub circular pods with a single seed. The pods measure 20mm to 30mm in length by 18mm to 25mm wide near the curved beak and 17mm to 21mm thick. The style is persistent swelling to form a curved beak at the apex. The pods turn from the olive green to pale grey or pale fawn when ripe. The pods are indehiscent falling from the tree to sprout. The single measures 13mm to 24mm in length by 15mm to 18mm in width.

Wildlife:

Cynometra iripa’s wildlife is unknown to the author but like mangroves probably support a wide range of animals from spider habitat, fish habitat, nectar feeding birds and crustaceans.

Cultivation:

Cynometra iripa are ideal for small gardens close to the beach or areas where salinity is a problem and the soils are heavy and suffer periods of inundation or tidal surges. The trees can be pruned on an annual basis to keep them as a bushy shrub or well-shaped small tree. In cultivation they will grow from 8 meters to 10 meters by 8 meters to 10 meters as a small tree or 5 meters to 6 meters by 5 meters to 6 meters as a shrub.

It is ideal for epiphytic fern and orchids that grow close to the coast. The new growth is very spectacular however the plants are rather slow in growth. They could be tried as far south as Brisbane or the far north coast of New South Wales.

Propagation:

Seeds: Sow fresh Cynometra iripa seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Place the trays in a warm semi shaded position. When the seedlings are 40 to 50 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. A with all mangroves or beach front plants the roots will develop quickly and water is essential in the early stages of growth so they need to be kept wet.

For mass plantings plant the seedlings out at 8 meter to 10 meter centers.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cynanchum carnosum

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: From Kyon, which is Greek for a dog and Ancho, which is Ancient Greek for to strangle. It refers to plants, which have toxic structures and or organs.

Specie:From Carnosum, which is Latin for fleshy. It refers to flowers, which are rather fleshy and or the colour of the flowers, which have a fleshy colour.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Milk Pod or Mangrove Milk Pod.

Distribution:

Cynanchum carnosum is found north along the coast from Willie Creek, Dampierland Peninsula, in central coastal Western Australia to Wallis Lake in central coastal New South Wales. It is found further inland on the Turner River between Port Hedland and Wittenoom, Mandura Marsh, Little Roper Spring and The Blackfella Spring, near Calvert Hills. It is also found on most the Islands surrounding the coast between the above locations.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cynanchum+carnosum#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cynanchum carnosum prefer semi shade to full sun to bright reflected light off the ocean. It grows behind the frontal dunes along saline estuaries, saline marshes, behind the frontal mangroves or low headlands. It grows in open woodlands, open Eucalyptus forests or monsoonal vine forests. The altitude ranges from sea level to 215 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 1 degree in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent ground water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cynanchum carnosum prefer sandy soils to heavy clays or medium muddy silts to muddy heavy silts. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, accumulated sands most of which have been laid down as alluvial deposits. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 4m to 6m by 4m to 6m

Characteristics:

Cynanchum carnosum is a small trailing creeper with very tough, wiry, fibrous stems. The stems are grass-green to deep emerald green, glabrous or with minute resinous lumps. The new growth and juvenile stems are similar to the mature stems except they have a purple tinge especially in cooler weather. All parts of the plant exude a clear to milky toxic latex.

The opposite leaves of Cynanchum carnosum are very variable from oblong-oblanceolate to obovate or elliptic and occasionally lanceolate or linear. The semi succulent, coriaceous leaves measure 20mm to 55mm in length by 5mm to 30mm in width. The petioles measure 2mm to 13mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate to rounded-cuneate while the apexes are mucronate, accumulate or at times apiculate. The discolourous laminas are deep emerald-green to deep blue-green, glabrous and dull on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are slightly paler. The mid vein is strongly prominent and rounded on the lower laminas and visible on the upper laminas. The lateral veins are faintly visible with an intramarginal vein well away from the margin. The lamina is flat and smooth.

The inflorescence of Cynanchum carnosum are born on a short raceme between the leaf axils. There are 3 to 7 flowers on a raceme. The thin glabrous racemes measure 12mm to 20mm in length while the pedicels measure 9mm to 15mm in length.

The flowers are usually pale green or pale yellowish-green or rarely white and measure 15mm to 17mm in diameter. The green tinged purple calyx lobes measure 1.8mm to 2.2mm in length. The corolla tubes measure 1.8mm to 2.2mm in length while the corolla lobes measure 6mm to 7.5mm in length. The corolla lobes twist 90 degrees at the apexes which are usually obtuse or at times broad acute.

The corona consists of 5 conspicuous, pale green or pale yellowish-green or rarely white, erect distinct segments. The apexes are often recurved and are longer than the corolla tube. The anthers are red and lie between the corolla segments. The flowers appear all year with a peak from December to February.

Cynanchum carnosum fruit are long, ellipsoidal, coriaceous pods. The pods are semi spherical in cross section and taper to the base and are long tapering towards the apex. The pods measure 75mm to 90mm in length by 10mm to 13mm in diameter. The pale blue-green to emerald-green pods turn pale brown to brown when ripe.

The brown flattened, pyriform seeds have long white pappus hairs which measure 22mm to 26mm in length. The seeds measure 5mm to 7mm in length by 3.5mm to 4.5mm in width.

Wildlife:

Cynanchum carnosum’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Cynanchum carnosum are ideal for small gardens close to the beach or areas where salinity is a problem and the soils are heavy and suffer periods of inundation or tidal surges. The creepers can be tipped pruned on a regular basis to keep them as a bushy sub shrub but beware they will exude copious amounts of latex. Hard pruning may kill the plants due to the large quantity of latex exuded however plants usually survive and reshoot from the base. In cultivation they will grow from 3 meters to 4 meters by 3 meters to 4 meters as a small creeper or 1 meter by 1 meter as a sub shrub.

Propagation:

Seeds: Sow fresh Cynanchum carnosum seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Place the trays in a warm semi shaded position beneath 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade. When the seedlings are 40 to 50 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

For mass plantings plant the seedlings out at 1 meter to 2 meter centers.

Cuttings: Cynanchum carnosum is easy to grow from cuttings.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings with at least 2 sets of nodes,

4 Place the cutting on a flat, hard surface, and make a clean about 10mm to 15mm below the lower nodes with a sharp sterile knife or razor blade. – Now remove all but one or two of the upper leaves.

5 Fill a saucer with water, and place a little mild to medium rooting hormone into another container like a milk bottle top. Dip the lower end of the cutting into the water and then into a mild rooting hormone if one is being used. Tap off any excess hormone,

6 Use a small dipple stick or old pencil to poke a hole into the soilless potting mix. Ensure the hole is slightly larger than the stem diameter and be careful not to wipe the rooting hormone off the cuttings base, place the cuttings in a pattern ensuring the cuttings are not touching each other,

7 I like to place the pots in Plastic bags to help maintain temperature and moisture. Place in a semi shaded place like under 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth.

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cynanchum viminale

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: From Kyon, which is Greek for a dog and Anchein, which is Ancient Greek for to strangle. It refers to plants, which have toxic structures and or organs.

Specie:From Vīmināle, which is Latin for a twig as in a willow stem or wicker work. It refers to structures or organs, which resemble a wicker.

Sub specie: FromBrūnō, which is Latin for brown. It refers to

organs, in this case the stems and leaves which are a bright

brown.

Common Name: Milk Pod or Mangrove Milk Pod.

Distribution:

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum is found over most of mainland Australia except for Victoria and the lower third of Western Australia.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cynanchum+viminale #tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum prefer semi shade to full sun to bright reflected light off the ocean. It grows behind the frontal through open woodlands, open arid Eucalyptus stands in arid areas. The altitude ranges from sea level to 350 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 1 degree in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent ground water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cynanchum viminale prefer sandy soils to heavy clays or medium muddy silts to muddy heavy silts. The soils are red lateritic soils where it grows amongst rock crevices and sandstone screes, on sandy soils derived from sandstone, limestone or accumulated beach sands, alluvial deposits or screes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 8pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 4m by 2m to 4m

Characteristics:

Measurements taken from a single specimen near Townsville.

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum is a plant with variable forms from sprawling to erect but can form dense mounds in ideal environments. The dull green to silvery-grey, terete stems are sparsely to moderately covered in short, white, pulverulent hairs and produce copious quantities of caustic milky fluid when cut or damaged. The stems have long internodes and measure 50mm to 160mm in length by 4mm to 8mm in diameter.

The leaves of Cynanchum viminale are only small rudimentary leaves are scale like on young stems and then perish as the stems mature, so that the plants appear leafless.

The inflorescence of Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum are born on a short umbels from the stem joints. There are 2 to 3 faintly perfumed flowers blooming at any one time on the elongated, short stout raceme. Raceme has 4 to 20 flowers. The obtuse calyx lobes measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length while the corolla tube measures 2mm in length. The 5 pale yellow to mid yellow narrow oblong petals are glabrous and decurve gently, downwards from the central axis to the margins and decurve markedly near the margin and from the base to the acute apex as they wither away. The petals measure 3.5mm to 5.5mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The flowers are opportunistic with flowers being known to appear from January to November.

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum fruit are long, ellipsoidal, coriaceous pods. The pods are terete in cross section and taper to the base and are long tapering towards the apex. The slender, oblong follicles gradually taper to the apex and measure 50mm to 140mm in length in diameter. The pale, dull green pods turn pale brown to brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum are ideal for small gardens close to the beach or areas where salinity is a problem and the soils are heavy and suffer periods of inundation or tidal surges. The biggest problem with this truly unusual creeper would be finding a place in the garden where its beauty can be admired. Without leaves it renders itself blending into other plants or being overrun in a garden where love is a virtue. Even placed on a trellis the trellis itself could be overpowering.

It is probably best suited to an area that has large exposed rocks so it can creep, crawl and crowd around the boulders forming a tangled wiry appearance on the ground. It would be best to surround it with annuals to give colour through the hot summers and cool warm winters. Sun and heat are important to its survival.

It can be tipped pruned on a regular basis to keep it as a bushy sub shrub but beware it will exude copious amounts of latex. Hard pruning would probably kill the plants and in any case I would ruin its overall appearance. In cultivation it should grow from 2 meters to 4 meters in diameter and about 1 meter in height at its highest point.

Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum hasevolved to survive in dry, arid or harsh environments by storing water in their stems meaning it is able to live for extended dry periods without any severe loss of condition.

Propagation:

Seeds: Sow fresh Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum seeds if available directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Place the trays in a warm semi shaded position beneath 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade. When the seedlings are 40mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

For mass plantings plant the seedlings out at 1 meter to 2 meter centers.

Cuttings: Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum is easy to grow from cuttings.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings with at least 2 sets of nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cynodon dactylon

Classification:

Unranked: Charophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Kyon, which is Ancient Greek for a dog and Odontos, which is Ancient Greek for a tooth or teeth. It refers to rhizome buds which resemble the canines of a dog.

Specie: From Dactylos, which is Ancient Greek for a finger. It refers to the finger-like spikes of the inflorescence.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cynodon dactylon is found throughout Australia except the true deserts and the coldest highlands.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cynodon+dactylon#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cynodon dactylon prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It is usually found moist to dry country but does best when the soils retain some moisture for most of the year. In arid areas it is confined water courses and seepages. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1150 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in July to 44 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 250mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Cynodon dactylon prefer sandy loams to skeletal loams over most, heavier substrata but again does best if there is a minimum of 200mm of top soil. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks including sandstone, granite, basalts, metamorphic rocks and lateritic soils. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however short periods of inundation can be handled without any problems. Non saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.4m by hundreds of square meters.

Characteristics:

Cynodon dactylon is a rhizomatous and, or stoloniferous mat forming perennial. The pale grey-green to purple prostrate culms are flattish, terete smooth and glabrous. The slender culms are semi erect or geniculate and root at the nodes. The culms measure 10mm to 120mm in length by 1mm to 2.5mm diameter and are freely branching.

The linear to narrow triangular leaves of Cynodon dactylon usually exceed the culms and measure 20mm to 150mm in length by 1mm to 4mm in width. The yellow-orange sheaths are finely dotted and glabrous while the ligules are acute. The leaf bases are clasping with the sheath extending to the lower leaf while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are pale grey-green to pale blue-green and glabrous or covered in white puberulent hairs. The lamina is flat or slightly recurves from the mid vein to the margins. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are minutely scabrous. The ligules are a dense row of short hairs on a membranous rim with longer hairs at each end.

The inflorescences of Cynodon dactylon are erect narrow compound racemes with 2 to 7 short spikes. The pale grey-green often tinged purple racemes measure 30mm to 160mm in length while the pale grey-green often tinged purple or deep purple linear spikes measure 20mmto 60mm in length. The spikes are solitary at the nodes. The lowest involucral bract is longer than the inflorescence.

The broad spikes are laterally compressed and measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length. The lower spikes are disjunct while the upper spikes are contiguous and are more erect to spreading at maturity than the lower nodding spikes. The spikes measure 10mm to 40mmin length. The lower spikes are female or gynaecandrous with a few male flowers at the apexes. The upper spikes are male or rarely androgynous.

The similar glumes are grey-green with a purple tinge with a green midrib. The glumes are acuminate and measure 1mm to 2.5mm in length.

The lemma has a single keel and a mucronate apex. The lemmas measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length. The keel is covered in white ciliate hairs. The sterile rachilla extension measures 0.5mm to 1.5mm in length and is at times has a vestigial spikelet at the apex.

The 2 or 3 white or pastel yellow anthers measure 2mm to 2.3mm in length including the 0.1mm long appendages. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

Cynodon dactylon’s fruits are subterete, slightly laterally compressed caryopsis. The seeds measure 2.2mm to 3.2mm in length by 1mm to 1.2mm in diameter. The green seeds turn pale grey to pale ochre-grey when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cynodon dactylon’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars. The nuts have a sweet bland to strong taste reminiscent of cinnamon.

Cultivation:

Cynodon dactylon is a fast growing, tough low growing perennial grass which grows under a wide variation in soil conditions and weather conditions. It is hard a wearing grass which makes it a very popular choice for home gardeners and councils, wanting a lawn, council parks and gardens or sports fields. When it is damaged it will recover quickly especially where temperatures and are maintained over 15 degrees centigrade.

It has become a highly sought after turf grass in temperate climates to tropical climates. It does however suffer some fungal problems in areas with continual high humidity. On the other hand regions that suffer high seasonal rainfalls and long dry periods Cynodon dactylon does particularly well and excels over most other grasses when seasonal temperatures drop to near freezing during the winter and climb to in excess of 4o degrees in summer. Here it will survive where most other grasses will succumb.

There are many cultivars on the market which means it can now be grown in an even wider range of environmental conditions and soils.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cynodon dactylon seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 2mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 5 to 12 days

Once the seedlings reach 100mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.4 meter to 0.8 meter centers.

Division: When growing from divisions it is best if the grass is slashed first to around 50mm to 75mm in height and water thoroughly. Remove the plant from the soil and just hack it into sections with each section being around 100mm in length by 100mm in width. Remove a small divot from the new area and replace the divot with the division cover in sand and water daily in the mornings for a week. Water weekly for the next month and do not fertilize. Withdraw water after a month for 2 weeks then apply a good soaking and fertilize. New shoots will appear within two weeks. After fertilizing growth will be rapid but it is best to leave the fertilizing until a good root system has been acquired.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus brevifolius

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Kúpeiros, which is the Ancient Greek or later Cypērus which is Latin for the name for a sedge. It refers to plants, which are sedges that the earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River in Egypt.

Specie: From Brevis, which is Latin for short and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which are much shorter especially when compared to other species within the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Common Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus brevifolius is widespread specie found in the tropical areas of northern Australia particularly around the coastline and along rivers, around ponds, billabongs, dams or where good soil moisture is retained all year from seepage. Its natural distribution is east from the Kimberley Range in far north Western Australia to the Queensland coast and south to about Mackay.

It has also been recorded from central Australia around Alice Springs. It has responded well to cultivation and has become a weed to some gardeners in their lawns.

This is particularly in shaded wet areas. Its distribution now is from Geraldton to Perth along the west coast, south to around Batemans Bay on the east coast and in the Great Otway National Park in southern Victoria.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+brevifolius#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus brevifolius prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in any areas where the soil is wet all year. The plants can grow in water for 6 months of the year and dry out for 6 months provided there is still ground moisture available. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 800 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degrees in July to 43 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water occurs or seepages are found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus brevifolius prefer sandy loams to light gritty clays to heavy clays. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, basalts, laterites and shales or can be alluvial based. The soils pH ranges from 4pH to 7.5pH. It is tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are not tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.4m to 0.7m by 0.5m to 8m

Characteristics:

Cyperus brevifolius grows as a strong water loving small perennial grass on long slender rhizomes. The triquetrous, solitary culms are glabrous deep glossy grass-green often with a reddish tinge. They measure 10mm to 30mm in height by 0.6mm to 1.3mm in diameter. The roots are red to red-orange or orange-brown.

The linear leaves measure 7mm to 25mm in height by 1mm to 3mm in width.

The inflorescence of Cyperus brevifolius are born as a singular head or rarely with 2 smaller subsidiary heads. The ovoidal to sub globose heads measure 5mm to 10mm in length by 3.5mm to 7mm in diameter. The 3 linear invocular leaf like bracts are 2 to 5 times the length of the inflorescence. The triquetrous peduncle measures 100mm to 500mm in length by 6mm to 8mm across. The 5 to 11 cluster heads measure 10mm to 15mm in diameter. The 1 or 2 invocular bracts are leaf like and measure 10mm to 30mm in length by 2.5mm to 5mm in width. There are 10 to 30 yellow-brown florets on each cluster. The 30 to 110 flattened spikelets measure 2mm to 4.5mm in length by 1mm across. The glumes are obtuse with a 3 longitudinal veins and measure 0.6mm to 0.9mm in length by 1mm in width.

The 1 to 2 or rarely 3 stamens are creamy yellow. The bifid style is creamy yellow. The flowers appear from August to early April.

The fruit of Cyperus brevifolius are biconvex, obovate to elliptical nuts. The creamy brown nuts measures 1mm to 1.5mm in length by 0.5mm to 0.7mm in width.

Wildlife:

Cyperus brevifolius’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

While the plants are good nutritional pasture crops some plants may be affected with tape worm (Echinococcus granulosis or E. granulosis) and while only a small percentage will be affected the risk is still there for infection. Ensure plants if being acquired from the wild are from tape worm free zones.

Cultivation:

Cyperus brevifolius is a small rush like plant that is neat in appearance that deserves a place in every shady to semi sunny wet lawns.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they can spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out where sub terrain water is always available.

Cyperus brevifolius may have potential to be grown and harvested for the cut flower industry along with several other species that grow from 0.meters to 1.2 meters in height. It was Cyperus difformis that I had experimented with in the past and found its shelf life and ease of handling made it an ideal candidate for the industry.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus brevifolius seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150 to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Division: When growing from divisions remove the plant from the soil and just hack it into 3 or 4 equal parts, first down the middle then halve those sections again. Remove unwanted dead leaves and any old small clumps that look weak or dead. Replant ensuring the soil is at the same level as before. Water and fertilize. New shoots will appear within two weeks.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus cyperoides

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Cyperus, which is probably from the Latinized Egyptian word for papyrus or paper and Oides, which is Ancient Greek for similar or alike. It refers to the plants being very typical of the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus cyperoides is found south from Bamaga on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to Werrong Beach track Woolongong in central coastal New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range except for 3 isolated populations found at Condamine and Carnarvon National Park in Queensland and Kununurra in far north eastern Western Australiana the Ord River.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+cyperoides#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus cyperoides prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It grows in moist open woodlands and open forests. The altitude ranges from 2 meters ASL to 350 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from 0 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus cyperoides prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grows in shallow water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 0.75m by 0.6m to 1m

Characteristics:

Cyperus cyperoides is a tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth, glabrous and swollen at the base. The slender culms usually measure 200mm to 750mm in length by 1mm to 3.2mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus cyperoides are as long as the culms and measure 200mm to 750mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width. The greenish-orange sheaths are glabrous. The leaf bases are truncate, clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus cyperoides are erect narrow spikes with 6 to 15 short spikes with terminal heads of spikelets. The 2 to 6 leaf like involucral bracts are longer than the inflorescence and measure 50mm to 140mm in length. The long spikes including the raceme measure 250mm to 800mm in length while the branches measure 5mm to 80mm in length. The spikes often cover half of the branch. The cylindrical spikes measure 15mm to 40mm in length by 6mm to 10mm in diameter.

The 50 to more than 160 spikelets are sessile and have 1 to 3 usually 1 terete spikelets on a raceme. The spikelets measure 3mm to 4mm in length by 0.4mm to 0.5mm in diameter. The spikelets are contiguous and are divaricate at maturity. The rachilla is broadly winged and fall from the base to the apex in quick succession.

The similar glumes are off white, pale greenish-brown often tinged yellow, without keels with several faint nerves either side of the center line. The glumes are acute. The fertile glumes measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length.

There are 3 white or pastel yellow anthers. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus cyperoides are very narrow ellipsoidal to narrow ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.7mm to 2.3mm in length by 0.4mm to 0.5mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus cyperoides’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus cyperoides is a tall rush like plant that is neat in appearance which deserves a place in every shady to semi sunny wet lawn or as a water garden feature.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 600m to 700mm in height by 500mm to 600mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use around semi shaded swimming pools, courtyards, besides enclosed pathways or Melaleuca swamp garden scenes. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus cyperoides strong stance when planted as a single entity. Cut flowers last for long periods indoors and they can be used in dried arrangements to great effect.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups or scatter plant them for a more informal natural look against walls to help soften them. Using rocks and small boulders can make the pool or any water feature appear more like an oasis. Be careful not to over plant as they will look out of place and weedy.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants. Those planted at the sides and in the foreground should be no more than 200mm in height to maintain a good balance. To the rear plants should be 500mm to 800mm in height and spread to again give balance and to make the area look larger. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. Strong greys with yellow or red flowers bring out boldness while greens and blues will blend and white flowers will offer purity with a clean fresh look.

Cyperus cyperoides may have potential to be grown and harvested for the cut flower industry along with several other species that grow from 0.meters to 1.2 meters in height. It was Cyperus difformis that I had experimented with in the past and found its shelf life and ease of handling made it an ideal candidate for the industry.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus cyperoides nutlets do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe nutlets directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus difformis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie:From Di/Dis, which are Ancient Greek for two and Forme, which is Latin for to take the shape or form of. It refers to plants, which have two distinctly different forms.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Common Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus difformis is widespread specie found in mainland states of Australia especially along rivers, around ponds, billabongs, dams or where good soil moisture is retained all year from seepage.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+difformis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus difformis prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It is found in any area where the soil is wet all year. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 900 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 43 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus difformis prefer soils that have a high sand content to light gravelly clays to heavy clays. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, basalts, laterites and shales or can be alluvium based. The soils pH ranges from 4pH to 6.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grows in shallow water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are not tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.4m to 0.7m by 0.5m to 8m

Characteristics:

Cyperus difformis grows as a strong water loving small rush. The triquetrous culms are glabrous deep grass green semi glossy and measure 100mm to 500mm in length by 2mm to 3mm across. The roots are red to red-orange or orange-brown.

The leaves are linear and measure 30mm to 520mm in length by 2.5mm to 5mm in width. It is sometimes reduced to the length of the sheaths. The leaf bases are truncate, clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus difformis are simple clusters born on 5 to 11 branches from the end of the spike. The triquetrous peduncles measure 100mm to 500mm in length by 20mm to 50mm in diameter. The 1 or 2 invocular, leaf like bracts are unequal in length and measure 20mm to 80mm in length by 2.5mm to 5mm in width. The 5 to 11 cluster heads measure 10mm to 15mm in diameter. The long spikes including the raceme measure 250mm to 800mm in length while the branches measure 5mm to 50mm in length. The cylindrical spikes measure 8mm to 16mm in diameter.

There are 10 to more than 30 yellow-brown sessile spikelets in each cluster which have 1 to 3 usually 1 terete spikelets on a spike. The spikelets measure 2.5mm to 5mm in length by 0.8mm to 1mm in diameter. The rachilla is not winged and is persistent.

The similar glumes are off white, pale greenish-brown often tinged yellow, without keels and have three longitudinal nerves. The glumes are obtuse. The fertile glumes measure 0.6mm to 0.9mm in length.

There are 3 white or pastel yellow anthers. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early April.

The fruits of Cyperus difformis are triquetrous nuts. The nuts measure 0.5mm to 0.7mm in length by 0.25mm to 0.3mm in diameter. The green nuts turn pale ochre-yellow when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus difformis’s nuts are eaten by many small birds including many finches. Where thickets develop at the edge of billabongs and soaks the Chestnut breasted manikin (Lonchura castaneothorax) is a very common sight.

While the plants are good nutritional pasture crops some plants may be affected with tape worm (Echinococcus granulosis or Echinococcus granulosis) and while only a small percentage will be affected the risk is still there for infection. Ensure plants if being acquired from the wild are from tape worm free zones.

Cultivation:

Cyperus difformis is a rush like plant that is neat in appearance that deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants can be used in the water or on the adjacent banks. They can become invasive so use them in restricted areas.

It is most suitable for use around semi shaded swimming pools, courtyards, besides enclosed pathways or Melaleuca swamp garden scenes. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus difformis strong stance when planted as a single entity. Cut flowers last for long periods indoors and they can be used in dried arrangements to great effect.

Cyperus difformis shows great potential to be grown and harvested for the cut flower industry along with several other species that grow from 0.meters to 1.2 meters in height. However it is this specie that I have experimented with in the past to find its shelf life and ease of handling make it an ideal candidate.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus difformis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus disjunctus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Di/Dis, which is Ancient Greek for two and Jūncta, which is Latin for joined. It refers to the leaves or other organs of a plant, which are spaced widely apart.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus disjunctus has a restricted distribution from the upper Coomera River in far south east Queensland to Taree in central coastal New South Wales. There is 1 disjunct population further south on the southern slopes near Killiecrankie. It is found mainly on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+disjunctus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus disjunctus prefer semi shade to light dappled shade. It grows in wet positions near creeks, streams, rivers, and soaks in and adjacent to rainforests and associated gallery forests. The altitude ranges from 65 meters ASL to 880 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from 0 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1050mm to 1650mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus disjunctus prefer better quality light clays to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from brown basalts and black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however the soils are permanently moist through seepage or capillary action. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 1m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus disjunctus is a densely tufted perennial rush with medium but thick rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are solitary, smooth or scabrous. The slender culms usually measure 300mm to 1000mm by 1.5mm to 3mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus disjunctus are not septate-nodules with the lower leaves reduced to not more than the sheaths while the upper leaves are as long as the culms and measure 300mm to 1000mm in length by 2mm to 7mm in width. The sheaths are yellow-orange to greenish-yellow. The leaf bases are truncate and clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus disjunctus are simple clusters born on 2 or 3 branches and a single sessile cluster from the end of the spike. The long spikes including the raceme measure 250mm to 700mm in length. The 2 to 4 invocular, leaf like bracts; are unequal in length, with the longest exceeding the length of the branches. They measure 10mm to 70mm in length by 1mm to 3mm in width. The terete branches measure 10mm to 20mm in diameter while the cluster heads measure 6mm to 22mm in diameter.

The 4 to 12 flattened spikelets are sessile and measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.5mm in width. There are 6 to 14 individual florets in a spikelet. The rachilla is not winged and is persistent.

The similar glumes are subacute, pale reddish-brown with deep red-brown apex and margins. There are 2 or 3 nerves on each side or the center. The fertile glumes measure 1.3mm to 1.5mm length.

There are 3 white or pastel yellow anthers. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus disjunctus are ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.3mm to 1.5mm in length by 0.8mm to 1mm in diameter. The green nuts turn pale yellow to pale ochre to pale grey-brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus disjunctus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars. The nuts have a sweet bland to strong taste reminiscent of cinnamon.

Cultivation:

Cyperus disjunctus is a medium rush like plant that is neat in appearance that deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants can be used in the water or on the adjacent banks. They can become invasive so use them in restricted areas.

It is most suitable for use around semi shaded swimming pools, courtyards, besides enclosed pathways or Melaleuca swamp garden scenes. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus disjunctus strong stance when planted as a single entity. Cut flowers last for long periods indoors and they can be used in dried arrangements to great effect.

Cyperus disjunctus may have potential to be grown and harvested for the cut flower industry along with several other species that grow from 0.meters to 1.2 meters in height. It was Cyperus difformis that I had experimented with in the past and found its shelf life and ease of handling made it an ideal candidate for the industry.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus disjunctus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus eglobosus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Ex, which is Greek/Latin for out of the ordinary or outside and Globosus, which is Latin for spherical. It refers to seeds which are spherical especially when compared to other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus eglobosus is found south from Wongaling Beach in far north Queensland to Jervis Bay in central coastal New South Wales and the off shore Islands. It is found along the coastal strip.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+eglobosus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus eglobosus prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It usually grows in or adjacent to wallum heaths and fresh water swamps on coastal islands and behind the frontal dunes close to the coast. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 25 meters ASL. except for the isolated population found along the Cape River to the Burdekin Dam which is at 154 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from 0 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 850mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent underground water or moisture is assured.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus eglobosus prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It is tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.5m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus eglobosus is a densely tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes which will proliferate at times. The erect trigonous culms are smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 200mm to 500mm in length by 1mm to 1.2mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus eglobosus are not septate-nodules and are usually shorter than the culms and measure 100mm to 400mm in length by 1.2mm to 1.5mm in width. The yellow-orange sheaths are finely dotted and glabrous while the ligules are acute. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus eglobosus are erect narrow compound racemes with a single cluster on each spike. The 2 or 3 involucral leaf-like bracts are much longer than inflorescence and measure 25mm to 150mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm in width. The spikes measure 250mm to 500mm in length. The digitate clusters are solitary at the ends of the spikes which measure 10mm to 22mm in diameter.

The 4 to 26, flattened spikelets measure 5mm to 12mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in width. There are 6 to 28 florets to a spikelet. The rachilla is narrowly winged and is persistent.

The similar glumes are off white to pale reddish-brown with 4 to 6 faint nerves. The glumes are acute while the fertile glumes measure 1.5mm to 1.7mm length.

The 3 anthers are white or pastel yellow. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear throughout the year.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus eglobosus are ellipsoidal to broad ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1mm to 1.1mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.8mm in diameter. The green nuts turn pale yellow to deep yellow brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus eglobosus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Cyperus eglobosus is a medium rush like plant that is neat in appearance that deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants can be used in the water or on the adjacent banks. They can become invasive so use them in restricted areas.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 300m to 400mm in height by 200mm to 300mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use around semi shaded swimming pools, courtyards, besides enclosed pathways or Melaleuca swamp garden scenes. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus eglobosus strong stance when planted as a single entity. Cut flowers last for long periods indoors and they can be used in dried arrangements to great effect.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants. Those planted at the sides and in the foreground should be no more than 150mm in height to maintain a good balance. To the rear plants should be 400mm to 600mm in height and spread to again give balance and to make the area look larger. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. Strong greys with yellow or red flowers bring out boldness while greens and blues will blend and white flowers will offer purity with a clean fresh look.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus eglobosus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus enervis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From E, which is Greek/ Latin for without or not having and Neûron which is Ancient Greek or Nervus which is Latin for sinews or nerves. It usually It refers to leaves, which do not have visible nerves or are faintly visible.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus enervis is found south from Daintree River National Park on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to Deua National Park in southern coastal New South Wales. There is an isolated population further north in Queensland on the Chester River on the eastern fall of the McIlwraith Range. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+enervis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus enervis prefer medium shade to light dappled shade. It usually grows in dry rainforests, wet rainforests and wet schlerophyll forests but can be found in notophyll vine forest, moist woodlands and occasionally in moist to wet grassland. The altitude ranges 5 meters ASL to 1000 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from minus 1 degree in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus enervis prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstone, granite, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, metashales and metasandstones, limestone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 8pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however it is often submerged during periods of high rainfall for short periods. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.1m to 0.5m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus enervis is a densely tufted, small perennial rush with very short rhizomes. The erect culms are terete, trigonous or 4 angled smooth and glabrous. The bright deep grass-green slender culms usually measure 100mm to 600mm in length by 0.5mm to 1mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus enervis are usually shorter than the culms and measure 60mm to 550mm in length by 0.4mm to 1mm in width. The yellow-orange sheaths are finely dotted and glabrous while the ligules are acute. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus enervis are a digitate cluster born on erect spikes. The ovoid spikes measure 20mm to 26mm in diameter and have 2 to 14 spikelets. The 2 to 4 usually 3 involucral bracts are leaf-like with the lowest being erect and much longer than inflorescence. The shortest involucral bract measures 5mm to 12mm in length while the longest involucral bract measures 35mm to 60mm in length.

There are 2 to 14 flattened spikelets in each cluster which measure 3mm to 15mm in length by 1.8mm to 2.1mm in width and 0.5 to 1.5mm in thickness. There are 2 to 20 florets to a spikelet. The rachilla is wingless or has a narrow persistent wing.

The similar glumes are pale reddish-brown to off white. The glumes apexes are acute while it is without a keel and have 1 or 2 or rarely 3 nerves. The glumes measure 1.8mm to 2mm length.

The 3 white filaments have pastel yellow anthers. The cream to white trifid style has a globose bulge near its base which is persistent when the fruit forms at the apex of the nut. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The fruit of Cyperus enervis are trigonous, ellipsoid to obovoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.2mm to 1.3mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.9mm in diameter. The green nuts turn pale brown to deep reddish-brown when ripe. The testa is minutely papillate or smooth.

Wildlife:

Cyperus enervis’s wildlife is unknown to the author. The nuts have a sweet bland to mild taste reminiscent of cinnamon.

Cultivation:

Cyperus enervis is a medium rush like plant that is neat in appearance that deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal adjacent to ponds, rainforests, court yards or swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants can be used in the water or on the adjacent banks. It can become invasive so use them in restricted areas.

It is most suitable for use around semi shaded swimming pools, courtyards, besides enclosed pathways or Melaleuca swamp garden scenes. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower. Medium fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus enervis strong stance when planted as a single entity.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups rather than scatter plant them for a more informal natural look against walls to help soften them. Using rocks and small rocks can make the pool or any water feature appear softer. Be careful not to over plant as they will look out of place and weedy.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants. Those planted at the sides and in the foreground should be no more than 350mm in height to maintain a good balance. To the rear plants should be 400mm to 600mm in height and spread to again give balance and to make the area look larger. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. Strong greys with yellow or red flowers bring out boldness while greens and blues will blend and white flowers will offer purity with a clean fresh look.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus enervis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus exaltatus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Ex, which is Latin for out of the ordinary or outside or external and Alatus, which is Latin for lofty or tall. It refers to shrubs which are much taller than all the other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Common Sedge

Distribution:

Cyperus exaltatus is found worldwide and in all the mainland states of Australia especially along rivers, around ponds, billabongs, dams or where good soil moisture is retained all year from seepage.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+exaltatus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus exaltatus prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It is found in any area where the soil is wet all year. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 43 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus exaltatus prefers soils that have a high sand content to light gravelly clays, decomposed sandstones, basalts and shales. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grows in shallow water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.8m to 1.8m by 0.5m to 2m

Characteristics:

Cyperus exaltatus grows as a strong water loving rush. The trigonous (broadly three sided) culms are glabrous deep green and semi glossy and measure 1000mm to 1800mm in length by 6mm to 8mm across. The leaves are linear and measure 500mm to 1000mm in height by 5mm to 15mm in diameter.

The inflorescences of Cyperus exaltatus are born as a compound or decompound cyme from the base of the tussock. The trigonous rachis measures 1000mm to 1800mm in length by 6mm to 8mm across. The 5 to 10 trigonous peduncles measure 50mm to 75mm in length.

The numerous flattened spikelets measure 4mm to 18mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width. The 4 to 6 involucral leaf like bracts are longer than the inflorescence and measure 600mm to 900m in length. The 12 to 30 flattened spikelets measure 4mm to 18mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width. There are 6 to 30 yellow-brown florets on each spikelet which have a broad persistent rachilla.

The yellow to deep yellow-brown glumes are obtuse with a mucronate apex. The glumes are without keels and are nerveless. The glumes measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The flowers appear from September to February.

The fruits are a trigonous nut that measures 0.6mm to 0.8mm length by 0.3mm to 0.5mm width.

Wildlife:

Cyperus exaltatus’s nuts are eaten by many small birds including finches. Where thickets develop in water the Chestnut breasted manikin (Lonchura castaneothorax) has been seen nesting in them. Frogs use the plants as a security zone.

While the plants are good nutritional pasture crops some plants may be affected with tape worm (Echinococcus granulosis or Echinococcus granulosis) and while only a small percentage will be affected the risk is still there for infection. Ensure plants if being acquired from the wild are from tape worm free zones.

Cultivation:

Cyperus exaltatus is a rush like plant that is neat in appearance that deserves a place around larger water features or in courtyards to break the hard walls where height is required. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants can be used in the water or on the adjacent banks.

It often reaches its full potential in just 1 year and flower from the second year from seed.

They can be used successfully for erosion control around dams, billabongs and creeks. We found them a bit of an annoyance in the nursery as the plants would self-seed in pots that were placed closer to the dams. In saying this we also had the same problem with Melaleuca viminalis, Melaleuca saligna and Cyathea cooperi.

Cyperus exaltus may have potential to be grown and harvested for the cut flower industry along with several other species that grow from 0.meters to 1.2 meters in height. It was Cyperus difformis that I had experimented with in the past and found its shelf life and ease of handling made it an ideal candidate for the industry.

Cyperus exaltatus may have potential to be grown and harvested for the cut flower industry along with several other specie that grow from 0.meters to 1.2 meters in height. It was Cyperus difformis that I had experimented with in the past and found its shelf life and ease of handling made it an ideal candidate for the industry.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus exaltatus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 2 meters to 2.5 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus filipes

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Fīlum, which is Latin for a thread and Poús which is Ancient Greek or later Pēs , which is Latin for a foot. It refers to plants which have a structure or organ that resemble a fine foot. The meaning here is a little obscure as the rhizomes are rather stout.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus filipes is restricted to an area close to the coast between Grafton and Port Macquarrie in central, coastal New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+filipes#tab_mapView

Habitat:

Aspect / Climate:

Cyperus filipes prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It usually grows in wet places in rainforests and littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 15 meters ASL to 850 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 50mm to 2800mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus filipes prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from accumulated peaty sands behind the frontal dunes or gritty alluvial flats. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grows in shallow water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.8m to 1.1m by 0.6m to 0.8m

Characteristics:

Cyperus filipes is a tall, erect, often open tufted perennial rush with short, stout rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are flattened on the lower half, smooth and scabrous. The slender culms usually measure 20mm to 200mm in length by 1mm to 2mm diameter.

Leaves mostly reduced to sheaths, with only the upper 1 or 2 producing a short blade.

The compound inflorescence have 7 to 10 primary branches, with 10 to 50 individual flowers and measure 120mm to 25mm in length. The digitate clusters measure 15mm to 20mm in diameter, while the 7 to 9 leaf like involucral are as long as the inflorescence. The 1 to 4 flattened spikelets in each cluster that measure 5mm to 15mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm in width. The obtuse, ochre, often with red to dark red-brown dotted glumes have 3 to 5 irregularly, thick nerves on each side. The 3 stamens and trifid style are cream.

Nut trigonous, ellipsoid, pale yellow nuts measure 1.5mm to 1.7mm in length by 0.5mm to 0.8mm diameter. Flowers appear from September through to April.

Wildlife:

Cyperus filipes’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

While the plants are good nutritional pasture crops some plants may be affected with tape worm (Echinococcus granulosis) and while only a small percentage will be affected the risk is still there for infection. Ensure plants if being acquired from the wild are from tape worm free zones.

Cultivation:

Cyperus filipes is a tall open rush like plant that is straggly in appearance that needs to be planted in close proximity to each other to give a lusher look.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus filipes seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.4 meter to 0.5 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus flaccidus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Flaccidum, which is Latin for weak, limp or flabby. It refers to leaves, which arch downwards.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Lax Flat Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus flaccidus is mainly found in a line east from Normanton in far north western Queensland to Chesterton in southern Queensland then to Deniliquin in southern central New South Wales then to the Grampians in south western Victoria and on the upper Murray River in South Australia.

There are several isolated populations further north and west including the Fitzmaurice River in the northern part of the Northern Territory, Purnululu National Park in north western, Western Australia and Mintabie Hills in central South Australia which indicates this rush maybe more widespread than any of the maps and official collections indicate.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+flaccidus#tab_mapView

Habitat:

Aspect / Climate:

Cyperus flaccidus prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It usually grows in wet places along the margins of creeks, streams, billabongs marshes, swamps, wallums and in ephemeral pools. It is found in any area where the soil is wet all year. The altitude ranges from 15 meters to 850 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 50mm to 2800mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus flaccidus prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from sandstone, granite, metamorphic rocks, basalts, alluviums and at times accumulated peaty sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grows in shallow water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.2m by 0.2m to 0.3m

Characteristics:

Cyperus flaccidus is a small tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are flattened on the lower half, smooth and scabrous. The slender culms usually measure 20mm to 200mm in length by 1mm to 2mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus flaccidus are not septate-nodules, are usually shorter than the culms often not more than the sheath and measure 1mm to 220mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width. The sheaths are yellow-green. The leaf bases are truncate, clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus flaccidus are erect with 3 to 7 branches or cluster like digital heads. The branches measure 30mm to 80mm in length while the digital head measure 12mm to16mm in length. The lowest involucral leaf-like bracts appear as a continuation of the culm and are often much longer than inflorescences.

There are 2 to 8 flattened spikelets in each cluster which measure 5mm to 10mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width and 0.5 to 1.5mm in thickness. There are 20 individual flowers to a spikelet. The rachilla is wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are off white. The glumes apexes are rounded to mucronate. The glumes are without keels, and have 2 nerves. The glumes have a reticulated midrib and measure 1mm to 1.5mm length.

The 1 or 2 white filaments have pastel yellow anthers. The cream to white trifid style has a globose bulge near its base which is persistent when the fruit forms at the apex of the nut. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The fruit of Cyperus flaccidus are trigonous, ellipsoid to obovoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.2mm to 1.3mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.9mm in diameter. The green nuts turn pale brown to deep reddish-brown when ripe. The testa is minutely papillate or smooth.

The triquetrous fruits of Cyperus flaccidus are broad ovoidal nuts. The nuts measure 0.5mm to 0.6mm in length by 0.3mm to 0.35mm in diameter. The green nuts turn brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus flaccidus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Cyperus flaccidus is a small rush like plant that is neat in appearance that deserves a place around smaller water features or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, in court yards or in small rockeries where good moisture is guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants can be used in the water or on the adjacent banks. They can become invasive so use them in restricted areas.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 100m to 200mm in height by 200mm to 300mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use around besides enclosed pathways, miniature Melaleuca swamp garden scenes or dwarf Japanese gardens. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower. Small to medium fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus flaccidus natural stance when planted as a single entity.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants. Those planted at the sides and in the foreground should be no more than 150mm in height to maintain a good balance. To the rear plants should be 400mm to 600mm in height and spread to again give balance and to make the area look larger. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. Strong greys with yellow or red flowers bring out boldness while greens and blues will blend and white flowers will offer purity with a clean fresh look.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus flaccidus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.4 meter to 0.5 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus flavidus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Flavum, which is Latin for yellow. It refers to stems, leaves or more often the flowers, which have a yellow or yellowish colour.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Yellow Flat Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus flavidus is found south from Mount Molloy on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to Buckland in northern Victoria. It is found on the Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range and in a rough line from Maryborough, Bundaberg and the Carnarvon National Park.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+flavidus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus flavidus prefer full sun. It usually grows in cleared areas around swamps, marshes on the Tablelands and coastal wallums. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 900 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 2400mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus flavidus prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It is tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.1m to 0.6m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus flavidus is a slender tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. The erect culms are trigonous smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 100mm to 300mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus flavidus are not septate-nodules, and are shorter than the culms and measure 100mm to 280mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width. The pale pink sheaths are glabrous. The leaf bases are truncate and clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are mid grass-green semi glossy and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus flavidus are erect simple spikes with 2 to 6 branches. The spikes measure 150mm to 220mm in length while the branches measure 30mm to 50mm in length. The spikes measure 25mm to 30mm in diameter. The 2 to 4 leaf like involucral bracts are much longer than the inflorescence. They measure 35mm to 80mm in length.

The 5 to 20 flattened, linear spikelets measure 10mm to 25mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.5mm in width. There are 12 to 50 florets to a spikelet. The rachilla is wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are deep brown with yellow-brown to deep brown hyaline margins. The glumes are without keels and have a three nerves while the apexes are obtuse. The fertile glumes measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm length by 1mm to 1.5mm in diameter.

The 2 anthers are off white. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The biconvex, obovate to elliptic fruits of Cyperus flavidus are nuts. The nuts measure 0.8mm to 1.3mm in length by0.4mm to 0.6mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep brown to black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus flavidus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Cyperus flavidus is a slender medium rush like plant that doesn’t have much appeal in cultivation.

It is versatile in accepting all types of soils and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As such this makes them an excellent plant for erosion control around dams and ponds. As garden subjects they will grow from 350mm to 550mm in height by 200mm to 500mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use around and at the edge of Melaleuca swamp garden scenes or swampy marsh environments. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower. Medium to large fish or frog ponds may benefit from Cyperus flaccidus natural stance when planted in mass.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus flavidus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.8 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus fulvus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Fulvu, which is Latin for tawny-yellow or yellowish. It refers to the colour of the dried spikes and seed heads.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Sticky Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus fulvus is found in a line east of Settlement Creek north of Camooweal to Beetle Creek near Mount Isa to Tyrone in far north Queensland then south to Conargo on the western side of the Great Dividing Range in southern New South Wales and the estuary of the Snowy River in northern Victoria. There is 1 isolated population at Mutawintji National Park in far western New South Wales north of Broken Hill. It is also found on Mornington Island and as far north as Jacin Creek on Cape York Peninsular.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+fulvus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus fulvus prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It usually grows in open woodlands or open forests, often in a grassy understory. It is found where the soil moisture is retained through continual seepage. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 920 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus fulvus prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grows in shallow water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.5m by 0.1m to 0.15m

Characteristics:

Cyperus fulvus is a slender tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. The erect trigonous or triquetrous culms are smooth and glabrous or scabrous and occasionally viscous. The mid reddish-brown bases are usually slightly swollen or at times bulbous. The culms measure 250mm to 500mm by 1mm to 2.6mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus fulvus are usually septate-nodules, curly and are usually shorter than the culms and measure 200mm to 450mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in width. The pale grass-green sheaths turn pale greenish–brown near the base. The leaf bases are truncate at the sheath while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are mid grass-green to deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus fulvus are erect usually simple spikes though compound spikes with subdigitate or shortly spictate apexes are not uncommon. The spikes usually have 3 to 8 branches which measure 10mm to 70mm in length. The hemispherical to globose clusters measure 25mm to 30mm in diameter. The compound clusters may have 1 to 7 branchlets which measure 10mm to 18mm in length with the cluster heads measuring 12mm to 20mm in diameter. The 2 to 4 leaf like lower involucral bracts are much longer than the inflorescences and measure 40mm to 180mm in length. The involucral bracts on the compound branchlets clusters are much shorter and measure 15mm to 45mm in length.

There are 5 to 20 flattened, elliptical spikelets in each cluster which measure 6mm to 18mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width. The 8 to 25 florets rachilla are wingless to broadly winged and persistent.

The similar glumes are pale ochre to golden-brown with broad acute apexes, which usually have mucronate tip to 0.3mm in length. The glumes are separated by a 1.2mm to 1.8mm gap. The glumes have 2 to 4 nerves and measure 2mm to 3mm length.

There are 3 white stamens. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus fulvus are ovoidal to broad ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.9mm in diameter. The green nuts turn mid yellow-brown to deep khaki when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus fulvus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however in good seasons the plants can form dense coverings around seepages and where water collects for long periods giving protection to small vertebras and insects.

Cultivation:

Cyperus fulvus is a medium rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 350m to 450mm in height by 100mm to 150mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower or 3 planted in a large pot placed near the edge of a pond. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus fulvus strong stance when planted as a single entity.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus fulvus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.2 meter to 0.5 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus gracilis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Graceō, which is Old Latin or later Gracilis, which is Latin for meagre or slim. It refers to plants, which are slimmer than other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Sticky Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus gracilis is found south from Cooktown in far north eastern Queensland to the Snowy River National Park in north eastern Victoria. It is found on both sides of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+gracilis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus gracilis prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It usually grows in open woodland and grassland, in drier situations than most other Cyperus species. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1720 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 8 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where soil moisture is retained for long periods.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus gracilis prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks including sandstone, granites and basalts. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates seasonal water logged. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.2m to 0.5m by 0.1m to 0.2m

Characteristics:

Cyperus gracilis is a slender tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. It is a small, densely tufted perennial, often covering extensive areas once established. The erect trigonous culms are smooth and measure 100mm to 400mm in length by around 0.5mm diameter.

The leaves are not septate-nodulose, shorter than the culms, usually filiform and measure 1mm to 1.5mm in width. The margins are entire.

Inflorescence a digitate cluster to 30mm in diameter. There are 2 to 7 spikelets on a cluster without branches. The bright green involucral bracts are narrow linear and are 2 to 4 times longer than inflorescence. The individual spikelets are flattened and measure 5mm to 20mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. There are 8 to 20 individual flowers on a spike. The rachilla is wingless and persistent. The somewhat curved glumes are short acuminate, with sides 3 or 4 nerves. 2–2.5 mm long, green to pale brown, occasionally tinged yellow. There are 3 stamens, while the trifid style is white. The flowers appear from late November to early March.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus gracilis are broad-ovoidal to broad-obcordate nuts. The nuts measure 1mm to 1.2mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.9mm in diameter. The green nuts turn dark brown to black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus gracilis’s wildlife is unknown to the author however in good seasons the plants can form dense coverings around seepages and where water collects for long periods giving protection to small vertebras and insects.

While the plants are good nutritional pasture crops some plants may be affected with tape worm (Echinococcus granulosis or E. granulosis) and while only a small percentage will be affected the risk is still there for infection. Ensure plants if being acquired from the wild are from tape worm free zones.

Cultivation:

Cyperus gracilis is a small rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used adjacent to water.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold and heat tolerant. It copes with periodic inundations and drying out.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups or scatter plant them for a more informal natural look against walls to help soften them. Using rocks and small boulders can make the pool or any water feature appear more life like. Be careful not to over plant as they will look out of place and weedy.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus gracilis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.2 meter to 0.5 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus haspan

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Haspan, which is probably a misspelling for Halpan which is unknown.

Sub specie: Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan. From Haspans, which is a misspelling for Halpan which is unknown.

Sub specie: Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides. From Juncus, which is Ancient Greek for a rush or Jingere, which is Latin for to tie or bind and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to plants, which resemble the Juncus genus

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan and Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides

are found in a line north and east of Broome on the west coast of Western Australia east to North Branch Creek, White Mountains National Park in north Queensland then south to Catham on the western plains, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast in central coastal New South Wales. It is also found on most of the off shore Islands in the Northern Territory and Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+filipes#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus haspan prefer light dappled shade to full sun light. It usually grows in wet sunny swamps, marshes and wet depressions in open woodlands, vine forests and open monsoonal forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 960 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 44 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 350mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus haspan prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grows in shallow water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.25m to 1m by many square meters.

Characteristics:

Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan is a densely tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes and clustered culms. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 250mm to 400mm in length 1mm to 3mm diameter.

Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides is a loosely tufted perennial rush with long creeping rhizomes so the culms look more solitary. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 500mm to 800mm in length but can grow to 1000mm in length under ideal conditions by 2mm to 3.2mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan are slightly septate–nodules, are usually shorter than the culms and measure 100mm to 200mm in length by 2mm to 5mm in width. The sheaths are pale yellow-green. The leaf bases taper to the clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The linear leaves of Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides are usually reduced to not much more than the sheaths on the culms and measure 10mm to 30mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The sheaths are yellow-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus haspan are erect compound spikes with 5 to 20 primary branches. The spikes measure 300mm to 700mm in length by 5mm to 7mm in diameter. The branches measure 100mm to 150mm in length while the clusters measure 15mm to 22mm in diameter. The secondary 3 to 14 digitate clusters measure 6mm to 11mm in diameter. There is a single leaf like involucral bract that is longer than the inflorescences and measures 120mm to 170mm in length while there are usually 1 or 2 or at times 3 leaf like involucral bracts that are shorter than the inflorescences. These shorter bracts measure 80mm to 130mm in length.

There are 3 to 10 flattened spikelets in each cluster which measure 5mm to 10mmin length by 1mm to 2mm in width. The 10 to 35 floret’s rachilla are wingless and persistent.

Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan similar glumes are pale reddish-brown with a green midrib. The glumes are obtuse without a keel and have 3 nerves along the midvein. The glumes are densely overlapping so that the rachilla is not visible. The rachilla is wingless and persistent. The glumes measure 1mm to 1.8mm length.

Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides similar glumes are pale reddish-brown with a green midrib. The glumes are obtuse without a keel and have 3 nerves along the midvein. The glumes are moderately overlapping with the rachilla visible. The rachilla is wingless and persistent. The glumes measure 1mm to 1.8mm length.

Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan has 1 white or pastel yellow stamen. The cream to white style is trifid.

Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides usually have 3 stamens or at times have 2 white or pastel yellow stamens. The cream to white style is trifid.

The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits ofCyperus haspan subsp. haspan are broad ovoidal nuts. The green nuts turn off white to pale yellow-brown when ripe. The nuts measure 0.4mm to 0.5mm in length by 0.3mm to 0.4mm in diameter.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides are broad ovoidal nuts. The green nuts turn off white to pale yellow-brown when ripe. The nuts measure 0.5mm to 0.8mm in length by 0.4mm to 0.5mm in diameter

Wildlife:

Cyperus haspan’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan is a medium rush like plant that forms a dense clump. This is probably the best looking, best coloured, best medium clump grass or rush available to native enthusiasts. It deserves a place in every garden whether it is a rockery, bush setting formal or informal this one plant caters for every situation. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, court yards where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with the above but it will accept all types of soils and are it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land and prefer to stand in shallow water. As garden subjects they will grow from 350m to 450mm in height by 400mm to 500mm in diameter when grown in the open while standing in water.

Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in larger areas will have the effect of making the area look larger and really do the plants justification whether it is in flower or not. A single plant, planted in tall large pots and placed in a corner can bring the corner to life.

Large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan strong stance when planted as a single entity around the edge of pond logs or boulders.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants as they should be no more than 300mm in height to maintain a good balance and highlight Cyperus haspan subsp. haspan or use it as the fill in plants in open rockeries where it will draw attention during those periods when few flowers are available. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. The flowers make interesting cut flowers especially dried.

Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides is a large rush like plant that forms a dense clump. This is probably the best looking, best coloured, best medium clump grass or rush available to native enthusiasts. It deserves a place in every garden whether it is a rockery, bush setting formal or informal this one plant caters for every situation. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, court yards where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine.

The long rhizomes of Cyperus haspan subsp. juncoides offer the enthusiast a wild untamed look which cannot be produced with plants that form clumps so use it where a natural informal look is required.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups and allow them to grow into each other.

Cyperus haspan may have potential to be grown and harvested for the cut flower industry along with several other specie that grow from 0.meters to 1.2 meters in height. It was Cyperus difformis that I had experimented with in the past and found its shelf life and ease of handling made it an ideal candidate for the industry.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus haspan seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually completed in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus imbecillis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Imbecillus, which is Latin for weak. It refers to the overall habit of the plants, which appear to be feeble or weak especially when comparing the growth habit or flower heads to other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus imbecillis is found in several disjunct populations south from Eumundi in southern coastal Queensland to Wonboyn Lake in coastal southern New South Wales. There is an isolated population further north in coastal Queensland on the Broken River south of Eungella National Park.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+imbecillis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus imbecillis prefer semi shade to light dappled shade. It usually grows in wet shaded spots in open woodlands and open forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 450 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 850mm to 1600mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus imbecillis prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It is tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.5m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus imbecillis is a small tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth or scabrous. The slender culms usually measure 100mm to 500mm in length by 0.6mm to 1mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus imbecillis are shorter than the culms and not septate-nodules. They measure 80mm to 200mm in length by 1.4mm to 2.2mm in width. The sheaths are pale grass-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green glossy and glabrous. The midrib is prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus imbecillis are simple or at times loose digitate erect spikes with 0 to 4 branches and 1 to 10 spikelets to a cluster. The spikes measure 6mm to 10mm in diameter. The 2 or 3 leaf like involucral bracts exceed the inflorescence with the lowest one being the longest.

There is 1 to 5 or rarely up to 10 spikelets in each cluster which measure 10mm to 13mm in length by 2mm to 2.2mm in width. The 8 to 22 floret’s rachilla are wingless to scarcely winged and persistent.

The similar glumes are pale greenish to straw coloured glumes are often tinged brown. The glumes apexes are excurved and mucronate. The glumes are without keels and are also without nerves or with a single faint nerve. They measure 1.5mm to 1.7mm length.

There are 3 white or pastel yellow stamens. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus imbecillis are ellipsoidal to ovoidal nuts. The nuts measure 0.8mm to 1mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.8mm in diameter. The green nuts turn pale brown to deep when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus imbecillis’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars. The nuts have a sweet bland to strong taste reminiscent of cinnamon.

Cultivation:

Cyperus imbecillis is a slender, medium, spreading rush like plant that has a place but is difficult to incorporate into an appeal garden setting.

It is most suitable for use in and at the edge of Melaleuca swamp garden scenes or swampy marsh environments. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification. Medium to large fish or frog ponds may benefit from Cyperus imbecillis natural stance when planted in mass.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus imbecillis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150m to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.3 meter to 0.5 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus laevigatus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Laevis which is Latin for polished smooth. It refers to the leaves or other organs, which are very smooth.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus laevigatus is found south from Port Gregory to Cape Leeuwin, in coastal Western Australia with a disjunct population near Esperance.

In the east it is found south from Fraser Island in central coastal Queensland to southern bank on Coila Lake in coastal southern New South Wales.

Inland it is found between Hot spring, Tallaroo in north eastern Queensland south west to Lake Mintabie in South Australia then south to Lake Newland Conservation Park then south east to Coorong Game Reserve also in South Australia and north east to Karalee in New South Wales before returning to the original site. There is a population between Picaninny Swamp and Nelson in the border region of southern South Australia and Victoria.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+laevigatus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus laevigatus prefer light dappled shade to full sunlight. It usually grows in wet sunny spots in open woodlands in brackish situations, near seashores along estuaries and salt marshes while inland it is found in soakage lines from artesian bores and around salt lakes. The altitude ranges from sea level to 300 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 50mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus laevigatus prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and alluviums. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.6m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus laevigatus is a perennial rush with long thick rhizomes and tufted or distant culms. The erect culms are trigonous smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 100mm to 600mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm diameter.

The linear lower leaves of Cyperus laevigatus are usually reduced to just above the sheaths while the upper leaves are much shorter than the culms and measure 60mm to100mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. The sheaths are pale grass-green to pale olive-green. The leaf bases are appressed and taper to where it is clasping the culms while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is not visible on the lower lamina and is not visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus laevigatus are usually 1 to 6 or at times up to 9 spikelets in a sessile, pseudo lateral cluster. The spikelets measure 20mm to 30mm in diameter. The spikelets appear from what appears to be a node. The lowest involucral bract is erect, culm like, much longer than the inflorescence and has a broad, shallow, concave, longitudinal groove on abaxial surface. The lower involucral bract measures 50mm to 150mm. The secondary involucral bract is often laterally positioned and measures 10mm to 20mm in length.

The slightly flattened, ellipsoidal spikes are often slightly twisted towards the apexes and measure 4mm to 20mmin length by 1.5mm to 4mm in diameter. The 10 to 44-floret’s rachilla is thick, wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are yellowish or off white and tinged deep reddish-brown. The glumes apexes are acute-obtuse with an irregular midrib which has several indiscernible nerves. The glumes measure 2mm to 2.3mm length.

The 3 anthers are mid rusty–brown to deep tan and measure 2mm to 3mm in length on a long filiform filament. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The plane or slightly concave or slightly convex fruits of Cyperus laevigatus are ovoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length by 0.8mm to 1.2mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep yellow-brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus laevigatus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus laevigatus is a magnificent compact medium rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It deserves a place around medium water features or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used standing in permanent water and can be used very successfully in situations where the water or soil is brackish.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land covering the plants for several weeks to seasonal dry swamp lands are experienced. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 450m to 550mm in height by 200mm to 250mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower or planted in a large pot placed near the edge of a pond. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus laevigatus strong stance when planted as a single entity.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups for a formal setting or scatter plant them for a more informal natural look against walls to help soften them. Using rocks and small boulders can make the pool or any water feature appear more like an oasis. Be careful not to over plant as they will look out of place and detract from the other plants or features.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus laevigatus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus laevis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie:From Laevis, which is Latin for polished smooth. It refers to leaves, fruits or other organs, which are smooth and glossy.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus laevis is found south from the Little Daintree River in the Daintree National Park on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to the confluence of the Burra Creek and the with Deua River in Victoria. There are 3 disjunct populations in far north western Queensland at Finch Hatton Gorge, from the coast to Carnarvon National Park and Isla Gorge. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+laevis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus laevis prefer semi shade to light dappled shade. It usually grows in forest where seepages exist in drainage channels and along creeks, streams or rivers. The altitude ranges from 15 meters to 1020 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus laevis prefer sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstone, granite, brown basalt, black basalt, and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.55m by 0.2m to 0.8m

Characteristics:

Cyperus laevis is a small densely tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes and at times proliferating from the nodes. The triquetrous erect culms are usually smooth but can be scabrous on the upper sections. The slender culms measure 150mm to 550mm in length by 0.7mm to 1.7mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus laevis are not septate-nodules, are usually shorter than the culms and measure 100mm to 500mm in length by 2.5mm to 6mm in width. The sheaths are mid grass-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are mid grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus laevis are long spikes with 3 to 10 branches. The spikes measure 400mm to 550mm in length. The lowest involucral bract is longer than the inflorescence. There is 1 involucral leaf like bract to each branch which is longer than the inflorescence and branch which measure 100mm to 150mm in length.

The flattened spikes measure 20mm to 25mm in length by 1.5mm to 3mm in width. The 6 to 20 floret’s rachilla is wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are off white to pale brown and are often tinged brown. The glumes apexes are acute-obtuse while it is without keels and have a single faint nerve on the midrib. The glumes measure 1.7mm to 2mm length.

The 3 stamens are white or pastel yellow. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus laevis are broad ovoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1mm to 1.2mm in length by 0.8mm to 0.9mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep reddish-brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus laevis’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

While the plants are good nutritional pasture crops some plants may be affected with tape worm (Echinococcus granulosis) and while only a small percentage will be affected the risk is still there for infection. Ensure plants if being acquired from the wild are from tape worm free zones.

Cultivation:

Cyperus laevis is a medium rush like plant that is spreading rather than erect. It deserves a place around medium to large water feature. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 350m to 500mm in height by 500mm to 700mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side or to the rear is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants. The plants to the side should be no more than 150mm in height to maintain a good balance and those to the rear can be taller and have a vertical growth habit to give plenty of contrast. Use plants of different foliage types and colours.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus laevis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus leiocaulon

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie:From Leîos, which is Ancient Greek or Leio, which is Latin for smooth or glabrous and Kaulon, which is Ancient Greek or later Cauline, which is Latin for a stem or branch. It refers to culms and or flower peduncles, which are glabrous.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus leiocaulon is found in a line east of Mareeba in the north on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland, south west to EinASL.eigh Uplands then south to Blackall in central Queensland and Coonamble in central New South Wales then south east to Campbelltown in coastal New South Wales.

There is an isolated population in far north Queensland at Somerset and on Bathurst Melville Island in the far north west of the Northern Territory.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+leiocaulon#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus leiocaulon prefer semi shade to light dappled sunlight. It usually grows on moist sights in open woodlands and open forests. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 1100 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 37 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus leiocaulon prefer sandy soils to light fatty sandy clays. The soils are usually derived from sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however soil moisture usually remains constant throughout the year. Non saline soils to very moderately soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.1m to 0.4m by 0.2m to 0.3m

Characteristics:

Cyperus leiocaulon is a small, open tufted perennial rush with short thick rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth, glabrous and slightly swollen at the base. The slender culms usually measure 200mm to 400mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm diameter.

The linear basal leaves of Cyperus leiocaulon are usually shorter than the culms and are not septate-nodules, but the upper leaves at times can be equal to the culms. The leaves measure 100mm to 400mm in length by 2mm to 6mm in width. The sheaths are pale grass-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus leiocaulon are erect trigonous petioles with 3 to 7 branches. The petioles measure 500mm to 1000mm in length. The lowest involucral bract is longer than the inflorescence. The spikes are broad cylindrical to broad-hemispherical or ovoidal and measure 7mm to 15mm in length by 1mm to 2.5mm in diameter. The 6 to 7 involucral leaf like bracts usually one with each branch have 3 to 5 longer than inflorescence and 3 to 2 shorter than the inflorescences.

The terete spikelets are loose positioned along the raceme and measure 5mm to 10mm in length 0.7mm to 1mm in diameter. The 2 to 4 floret’s rachilla is broadly winged and is discarded at the same time.

The similar glumes are greenish to yellow-brown with an acute apex and have 6 to 10 nerves. The glumes measure 2mm to 3mm length.

The 3 stamens are white or pastel yellow. The cream to white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus leiocaulon are ellipsoidal to obovoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.7mm to 1.9mm in length by 0.5mm to 0.7mm in diameter. The green nuts turn mid brown to deep brown-black.

Wildlife:

Cyperus leiocaulon’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus leiocaulon is a slender, medium, spreading rush like plant that has a place but is difficult to incorporate into an appeal garden setting.

It is most suitable for use in and at the edge of Melaleuca swamp garden scenes or swampy marsh environments. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification. Medium to large fish or frog ponds may benefit from Cyperus leiocaulon natural stance when planted in mass.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus leiocaulon seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus lucidus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie:From Lūcī, which is Latin for bright and shiny. It refers to the leaves, fruits or honey, which are bright clear and/or glossy.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Leafy Flat Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus lucidus is found east of a line from the Hann Tableland south west to Glenloth Springs on the Dutton River on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland then south to Bong Bong Creek, then south to Taroom, then to Macintyre Falls in south eastern Queensland, then south west to Narrabri, then south to Wagga Wagga in southern New South Wales then south west to Jimmy’s Creek near Halls Gap before heading south west to the Naracoorte Coastal Plain on the south western coast of Victoria. There is several isolated population in far north Cape York Peninsular at the Jardine River National Park Adavale in far western Queensland and Mootwingie near Broken Hill. In Tasmania it is found on both King and Flinders Islands and north and east from Peg’s Beach Reserve in the north west coast of Tasmania to Meander Valley and Glamorgan Spring Bay on the east coast of Tasmania. It is also found around Hobart in Tasmania, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+lucidus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus lucidus prefer light dappled shade to full sunlight. It usually grows in open woodlands and open forests in swampy situations or along creeks, streams, drainage lines and soaks. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 950 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 150mm to 2400mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus lucidus prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed granites, sandstone, shales or accumulated beach sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.03m to 0.15m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus lucidus is a robust densely tufted, small perennial rush with short, thick rhizomes. The erect, trigonous culms are smooth, glabrous and glossy. The slender culms usually measure 300mm to 1500mm in length by 3mm to 10mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus lucidus are strongly septate-nodules and usually exceed the culms in length. The leaves measure 300mm to 1500mm in length by 5mm to 40mm in width. The sheaths are deep grass-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are long acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible as a furrow from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus lucidus are compound or compounded at the end of 6 to 10 branches. The primary peduncles measure 130mm to 200mm in length. The lowest involucral bract is longer than the inflorescence. The spikes are ovoid to cylindrical and measure 10mm to 30mm in length by10mm to 30mm in diameter. The 5 to 10 involucral leaf like bracts are much longer than the inflorescence and measure100mm to 150mm in length.

The terete to flattened spikelets measure 4mm to 20mmin length by 1mm to 2.5mm in width. The 4 to 10 floret’s rachilla is broadly winged falling at the same time as the spikelet.

The similar are pale reddish-brown with an acute apex and 4 to 8 faint nerves. The glumes measure 4mm to 6.5mm length by 0.7mm to 0.8mm in diameter.

There are 3 pastel yellow stamens. The pastel yellow style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus lucidus are linear-ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.8mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep grey-brown to almost black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus lucidus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus lucidus is a medium rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 350m to 450mm in height by 100mm to 150mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower or 3 planted in a large pot placed near the edge of a pond. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus lucidus strong stance when planted as a single entity.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus lucidus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus mirus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie:From Mirus, which is Latin for exceptional or remarkable. It refers to plants, which are much more attractive than other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus mirus is found in several disjunct populations south from Barron to Mareeba in far north eastern Queensland and then from Gallangowan State Forest in south eastern Queensland to the Hacking River in central coastal New South Wales. There are 2 disjunct populations in central Queensland in the Carnarvon National Park and Mount Perry.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+mirus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus mirus prefer medium shade to light dappled shade. It grows in moist situations in sub-tropical rainforests, tropical rainforests and gallery forests along drainage lines, depressions, and along creeks. It is found where the soil is moist throughout the year. The altitude ranges from 60 meters ASL to 1100 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus mirus prefer sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstone, metamorphic rocks, metashales, brown basalts, black basalts and alluvial sediments. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate of water logged soils however the soils maintain moisture throughout the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.2m to 0.5m by 0.3m to 0.8m

Characteristics:

Cyperus mirus is a densely tufted small perennial rush with very short rhizomes. The pendulant, trigonous, filiform culms are smooth, glabrous and glossy. The slender culms usually measure 100mm to 400mm in length by 0.3mm to 0.5mm diameter.

The linear terete to trigonous leaves of Cyperus mirus are not septate-nodules, are shorter than the culms and measure 80mm to 150mm in length by 0.3mm to 0.5mm in diameter. The sheaths are pale grass-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are long, narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is difficult to distinguish. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus mirus are sessile digitate clusters at the end of the stem which measure 15mm to 20mm in length. The stems measure 80mm to 350mm in length. There are 1 to 5 spikes in a cluster. The 2 to 4 involucral leaf like bracts are much longer than the inflorescence with the lower involucral bract being the longest

The flattened spikes measure 3mm to 14mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in width. The lower spikes are female or gynaecandrous with a few male flowers at the apexes. The upper spikes are male or rarely androgynous. The 5 to 30 floret’s rachilla is wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are off white to fawn with a slightly curved acuminate apex. It is without keels and have two to six nerves. The glumes measure 1.9mm to 2.2mm length.

There are 3 pastel yellow anthers. The pastel yellow style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus mirus are obovoid to ellipsoid nuts. The nuts measure 0.8mm to 0.9mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.75mm in diameter. The green nuts are trabeculae or finely striated and turn black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus mirus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus mirus is a small to medium compact rush like plant that is pendulant wit weeping culms and leaves. This is one of the best looking, best coloured, best small clump grass or rush available to native enthusiasts. It deserves a place in every garden whether it is a rockery, bush setting formal or informal this one plant caters for every situation. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools where good soil moisture can be guaranteed though it is drought resistant once established. It resents full sun all day which makes it ideal drier coastal conditions in partial shade or beneath tree canopies where other plants may struggle.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with the above but it will accept all types of soils and are it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 40 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land or the occasional lapse in maintenance meaning brown thumbs can enjoy success too. As garden subjects they will grow from 300m to 400mm in height by 500mm to 700mm in diameter when grown in the open.

Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification whether it is in flower or not. A single plant, planted in large, tall, white pots placed along a long veranda would give height and length to the veranda. Imagination would see the plants used in fibre hanging baskets to great effect.

Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus mirus strong stance when planted as a single entity around the pond logs or boulders.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants as they should be no more than 100mm in height to maintain a good balance and highlight Cyperus mirus or use it as the fill in plants in open rockeries where it will draw attention during those periods when few flowers are available. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. Another huge advantage is to use it where plants have small usually insignificant flowers for here they will draw the attention. Use plants of different foliage types and colours.

While the smaller Cyperus gracilis is my favourite Cyperus mirus would rival it where a slightly larger plant is required.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus mirus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus pilosus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Pilōsus, which is Latin for soft, wavy hairs. It refers to structures or organs, which are covered in soft wavy hairs.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus pilosus is found in several disjunct populations south from the Daintree National Park to Mount Zero near Townsville, Mackay to the Eungella National Park and Bundaberg Queensland to Boambee in northern coastal New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range and on the off shore island of Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+pilosus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus pilosus prefer light dappled shade to full sunlight. It is usually found moist coastal heaths and adjacent to wallums and swamps. It is found in any area where the soil is wet all year. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 950 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from 0 degrees in July to 35 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1000mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus pilosus prefer sandy soils to light clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates seasonal water logged soils and grows in water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.4m by 0.2m to 0.2m

Characteristics:

Cyperus pilosus is a densely tufted perennial rush with short, thick rhizomes. The erect, triquetrous culms are smooth or scabrous and often shortly winged on the upper half. The culms usually measure 300mm to 800mm in length but can attain 1000mm in length under ideal conditions by 4mm to 6mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus pilosus are not septate-nodules and are usually shorter than the culms but at times are equal to the culms in length. The leaves measure 300mm to 800mm in length by 4mm to 12mm in width. The sheaths are pale olive–green, olive-khaki or deep grass-green and semi glossy. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green to deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is prominent rounded on the lower lamina and is clearly visible as a longitudinal concave groove on the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus pilosus are erect compound racemes with 3 to 10 primary branches. The primary branches rachises are densely covered in white hispid hairs and measure 100mm to 160mm in length. The spikes are usually ovoid to cylindrical or rarely sub globose. The spikes measure 20mm to30mm in length by 10mm to 20mm in diameter. The 3 to 5 involucral leaf like bracts are often much longer than inflorescence though it is not uncommon to find one shorter than the inflorescence.

There are 6 to 26 flattened spikelets on each spike which measure 6mm to 12mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.5mm in width. The 7 to 40 floret’s rachilla is wigless and persistent.

The similar glumes are straw-coloured to red-brown, with broad whitish margins above obtuse apexes. The glumes are without keels and have four to six faint nerves. The glumes measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length by 1.3mm to 1.6mm in width.

There are 3 pastel fawn stamens. The cream to white style has a single white stigma. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The triquetrous fruits of Cyperus pilosus are ovoidal to ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1mm to 1.3mm in length by0.5mm to 1.8mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep brown to black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus pilosus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus pilosus is a medium spreading rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 500m to 600mm in height by 7000mm to 800mm in diameter and up to 800mm in height when in flower.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower or planted in a large pot placed in the water or at the edge of a pond. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus pilosus strong stance when planted as a single entity especially where a wall is used as the backdrop.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus pilosus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus platystylis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus:From Kúpeiros, which is the Ancient Greek or later Cypērus which is Latin for the name for a sedge. It refers to plants, which are sedges that the earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River in Egypt.

Specie: From Platy, which is Ancient Greek for flat or broad and Stízō, which is Ancient Greek for a spike, column or to mark with a sharp point. It refers to the female organ between the ovary and the stigma, which has a flat appearance.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus platystylis is found in 2 distinct isolated populations in the northern Territory and on the east Coast. In the Northern Territory it is found north and west of a line from Little Fitzmaurice River to north eastern Kakadu National Park with a population in the east from Gatji to Arafura Swamp. There is also a small population near Kuhunurra in north western Western Australia.

On the east coast it is found in several disjunct populations from Jacks Lakes on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to Kempsey in coastal central New South Wales. There are several isolated populations in far north western Queensland on Settlement Creek and Massacre Inlet which may indicate that Cyperus trinervis is more widely distributed than the map indicates.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+filipes#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus platystylis prefer full sun. It grows on floating mats and isolated small seasonal inundated islands in swamps. The altitude varies greatly with western plants found from 10 meters ASL. to around 150 meters ASL. and those on the east coast from 5 meters ASL to around 950 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 0 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to 3000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus platystylis prefer floating mats of organic matter or clumps of accumulated organic matter. The soils pH ranges from 6.2pH to 6.6pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 0.8m by 0.5m to 0.8m

Characteristics:

Cyperus platystylis is a densely tufted perennial rush with very short rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth and glabrous or scabrous on the upper surface and glabrous on the lower surface. The slender culms usually measure 400mm to 500mm in length but can grow to 800mm in length under ideal conditions by 3mm to 8mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus platystylis are septate-nodules and are usually about the same length as the culms. The leaves measure 400mm to 500mm in length by 3mm to 8mm diameter. The sheaths are pale reddish-brown to deep purplish-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green and glabrous to scabrous. The laminas recurve upwards from the midrib to the margins. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus platystylis are erect compound or compounded racemes with 8 to 12 primary branches. The trigonous peduncules measure 300mm to 800mm in length. There are 3 to 9 spikelets on a digital spike. The spikes measure 20mm to 30mm in diameter. The 5 to 7 involucral leaf like bracts are much longer than the raceme and inflorescence. The bracts measure 120mm to 180mm in length by 4mm to 7mm in width.

There are 3 to 8 flattened spikelets to a cluster which measure 6mm to 15mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in diameter. The lower spikes are female or gynaecandrous with a few male flowers at the apexes. The upper spikes are male or rarely androgynous. The 10 to 50 floret’s rachilla is wingless and persistent.

The tightly packed, similar glumes are khaki-yellow to pale reddish-brown with a short mucronate apex. The glumes are without keels and have three nerves along the midrib. The glumes measure 2mm to 2.5mm length.

There are 3 pastel yellow stamens. The white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The compressed trigonous fruits of Cyperus platystylis are ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.5mm to 1.8mm in length by 0.9mm to 1mm in diameter. The green nuts turn grey-brown to deep chocolate-brown with pale ochre corky angles when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus platystylis’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus platystylis is a medium rush like plant that is erect and wild in appearance. It deserves a place around smaller water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It grows best when they spend extended periods being inundated and short periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 600m to 700mm in height by 600mm to 750mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower or 3 planted in a large pot placed near the edge of a pond. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus platystylis strong stance when planted as a single entity.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups as scatter planted, plants often look weedy and overgrown. The more formal look is where it is against walls or adjacent to hard, square or rectangular objects to help soften them and break the rigidity of the scene. Using rocks and small boulders can make the pool or any water feature appear more like an oasis.

Large court yards and office entrances would ideally suit Cyperus platystylis provided a strict formal is not warranted.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants as they should be no more than 150mm in height and very uniform in shape to maintain a good balance. The use of plants with different foliage types and colours would add further interest.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus platystylis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually completed in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by not overcrowding them and keeping them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus polystachyus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Polús, which is Ancient Greek for many and Stákhus, which is Ancient Greek for a flower spike. It refers to plants, which have a lot more flowering spikes than other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus polystachyos is widespread throughout the Australian mainland particularly around the coast from Darkum in south western Western Australia in the west to Bournda National Park southern coastal New South Wales.

There are several isolated populations in inland areas including Vaughan Springs, Ormiston Gorge and the MacDonnell Ranges in central Australia. It is not found in the true deserts.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+polystachyos#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus polystachyos prefer semi shade to light dappled sunlight. It grows in moist open woodlands, open schlerophyll forests, vine forests open monsoonal forests drainage lines, creeks, streams swamps and marshes often standing in water for several months of the year. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 760 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 2400mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus polystachyos prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes and alluviums. The soils pH ranges from 4pH to 6pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.8m by 0.2m to 0.6m

Characteristics:

Cyperus polystachyos is a densely tufted annual or perennial rush with short, orange-brown rhizomes. The erect trigonous to triquetrous culms are smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 100mm to 600mm in length but can grow to 700mm in length under ideal conditions by 1mm to 2.6mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus polystachyos are usually shorter than the culms and are not septate-nodules. The leaves measure 100mm to 300mm in length by 2mm to 8mm in width. The sheaths are pale yellow-green to pale olive-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green to deep grass-green and glabrous. The parallel veins are faintly visible on the lower lamina and are faintly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus polystachyos are simple or sub compound racemes at the end of a long peduncle with 3 to 8 primary branches. The peduncle and racemes are pale olive-green and measure 5mm to 60mm in length. The subdigitate clusters are broad obovoid to hemispherical and measure 20mm to 40mm in diameter. The 2 to 4 involucral leaf like bracts are longer than the inflorescence.

There are 12 to 28 flattened spikes in a cluster which measure 5mm to 25mm in length by 1.3mm to 1.5mm in width. The 10 to 50 floret’s rachilla is narrowly winged and persistent.

The similar are pale yellow to reddish-brown with off white to pale grey margins with an obtuse to short mucronate apex. The glumes have a 3 nerved midrib and measure 1.8mm to 2.6mm length.

The 2 or rarely single stamens are white. The white style is bifid. The flowers appear from late November to March or as late as July in frost free zones.

The biconvex fruits of Cyperus polystachyos are narrow-obovate nuts. The nuts measure 1mm to 1.2mm in length by 0.4mm to 0.5mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep reddish-brown to black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus polystachyos’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus polystachyos is a large rush like plant that is erect. It is ideal in almost every setting around lakes, dams, billabongs or at the edge of a rain forest where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They cope with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. They actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 500m to 700mm in height by 400mm to 800mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus polystachyos seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.5 meter to 0.6 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus procerus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Procerus, which is Latin for tall. It refers to the plants, which are much taller than other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus procerus is found north of a line from Kuhunarra in north western, Western Australia to Limmen National Park in the Northern Territory.

On the east coast it is found in several disjunct populations which indicate to the author it may be far more prevalent than this description or maps indicate. It is found on the adjacent land south of Mornington Island in far north Queensland in a south easterly direction to the Clarence Valley and Woolli in coastal northern New South Wales. There is 1 isolated population in far western Queensland at Lake Yamma Yamma.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+procerus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus procerus prefer light dappled shade to full sunlight. It grows in swamps and seasonally wet depressions. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 450 meters ASL..

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 2400mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus procerus prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.7m to 1.2m by several square meters.

Characteristics:

Cyperus procerus is a tufted perennial rush with long rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth, winged and glabrous on the lower half and scabrous on the upper half. The slender culms usually measure 700mm to 1200mm in length by 4mm to 9mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus procerus are shorter than the culms or equal to the culms in length and are not septate-nodules. The leaves measure 700mm to 1200mm in length by 4mm to 13mm in width. The sheaths are pale yellow-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly rounded and prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus procerus are erect simple, sub compound or rarely sub globose clustered heads with 3 to 8 primary branches. The peduncles measure 50mm to 160mm in length. The spikes are broad ovoidal and measure 20mm to 40mm in length by 20mm to 40mm in diameter. The rachises are covered in whit hispid hairs and measure 10mm to 50mm in length. The lowest involucral bract is longer than the inflorescence. The 3 to 4 involucral leaf like bracts are much longer than the inflorescence. The bracts measure 100mm to 160mm in length by 4mm to 12mm in width.

The3 to 15 flattened spikelets in each cluster measure 10mm to 35mm in length by 2.5mm to 3.5mmin width. The 20 to 36 floret’s rachilla is wingless or with a very small wing and are persistent.

The similar glumes are red-brown with broad off white or pale fawn margins with an obtuse apex and 3 faint nerves either side of the midrib. The glumes measure 2.5mm to 3mm length by 1.8mm to 2.1mm in width.

There are 3 white stamens. The white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The triquetrous fruits of Cyperus procerus are obovoidal or ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.5mm to 1.6mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.7mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep chocolate–brown to black ochre when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus procerus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus procerus is a medium rush like plant that is erect. It is best placed around larger water features or in corners where its growth can be limited. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It actually grow best where it spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods where the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects it will grow from 800m to 1000mm in height by several square meters in diameter.

It most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings around ponds, lakes, billabongs, or very large fish and frog ponds create covers and refuges for many Australian frogs, fish and small birds as well as insects like Dragon flies and Damsel flies.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups for a more informal natural look hard up against walls to help soften them. Using rocks and small boulders in the fore ground can make the pool or any water feature appear more like an oasis. Be careful not to over plant as it will look out of place and weedy.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use in the foreground is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants as they should be no more than 250mm in height to maintain a good balance. Use plants of different foliage types and colours.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus procerus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus sanguinolentus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Specie: From Sanguineus, which is Latin for bloody and Lenta, which is Latin for full as in full cheeks. It refers to plants; especially the fruits, which resemble full red cheeks.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus sanguinolentus is found south and east from Mount Molloy and Elizabeth Creek on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to Muttaburra then to Augathella and Chinchilla in southern Queensland where it then moves south to Inverell in New South Wales. From here it moves south west to Coonamble and the Macquarie Marshes before turning south east to the Norfolk Falls in the Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales then it turns south west to Bendigo and finally across to the northern Grampians.

In South Australia it is found south from the Lofty Mountains to Victor Harbour and in the north at Alligator Gorge in natural dams. There is an isolated population on the south end of Esk River and the Barton Creek.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+sanguinolentus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus sanguinolentus prefer light dappled shade to full sunlight. It grows in table drains, drainage lines, on the banks of creeks and streams and swamps which radiate from depressions on the banks. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 760 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to 2000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus sanguinolentus prefer sandy soils to gravelly medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks including sandstone, metamorphic rocks, brown basalt, black basalt, granite and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.1m to 0.5m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus sanguinolentus is a tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. The erect culms are trigonous smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 100mm to 250mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm diameter but can grow to 700mm in length under ideal conditions when scrambling over other shrubs and grasses.

The linear leaves of Cyperus sanguinolentus are shorter than the culms and are not septate-nodules. They measure 50mm to 200mm in length by 1mm to 3mm in width. The sheaths are straw coloured to pale yellow-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus sanguinolentus are erect, simple, hemispherical clusters which are subdigitate or spictate with 3 to 5 branches. The rachises measure 10mm to 50mm in length. The cluster heads measure 20mm to 25mm in diameter. The 1 to 3 involucral leaves like bracts are different lengths and are all longer than the inflorescence.

There are 2 to 25 flattened spikelets in a cluster which measure 5mm to 20mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The 6 to 36 floret’s rachilla is wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are reddish-brown to black with pale margins and often with a hyaline patch on sides. The apexes are obtuse while the glumes are without keels and have two to six nerves. The glumes measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm length by 1.5mm to 2.5mm in width.

There are 2 or 3 white filaments with narrow, pastel yellow, ellipsoidal anthers that measure 0.3mm to 0.6mm in length. The white filiform style is bifid and measures 0.6mm to 1mm in length while the white stigmas measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The biconvex fruits of Cyperus sanguinolentus are broad obovoidal to spherical nuts. The nuts measure 0.8mm to 1.5mm in length by 0.6mm to 1.2mm in diameter. The green nuts turn brown to almost black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus sanguinolentus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars. The nuts have a sweet bland to strong taste reminiscent of cinnamon.

Cultivation:

Cyperus sanguinolentus is a slender, small, medium or large spreading rush like plant that has a place around water features but is difficult to incorporate into an appealing garden setting because of its variation in growth habit.

It is versatile in accepting all types of soils and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It actually grow best when they spend extended periods being inundated and extended periods when the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As such this makes them an excellent plant for erosion control around dams and ponds. As garden subjects it will grow from 100mm to 800mm in height by 150mm to 1200mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use in and at the edge of Melaleuca swamp garden scenes or swampy marsh environments where the ground is seasonally flooded. Mass plantings of 5 or more; of the small plants, even in small areas really do the plants justification however its size at this stage cannot be guaranteed. Medium to large fish or frog ponds may benefit from Cyperus sanguinolentus natural stance when planted in mass but again how can the size be guaranteed.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus sanguinolentus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus sphaeroideus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: Cyperus (Cyperus probably from the Latinized Egyptian word for papyrus or paper. The earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River. )

Specie: From Sphaero/Sphaîra, which is Ancient Greek for round and Lobos/Lobī, which is Ancient Greek for a fruiting pod. It refers to the pods having a globular shape.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Common Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus sphaeroideus is found south from the Byfield National Park in Queensland to the northern and eastern half of Victoria. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range. There are several isolated populations in the Carnarvon Gorge, Barcaldine, Gregory Springs and the Johnstone River in Queensland.

In Western Australia it is found in the far north of the state near Doomgon station.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+sphaeroideus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus sphaeroideus prefer light dappled shade to full sunlight. It grows in open woodlands, vine forests and open monsoonal forests. It is found in any area where the soil is wet all year. The plants prefer wet depressions in open woodlands. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 760 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 43 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus sphaeroideus prefer soils that have a high sand content to heavy gravelly clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It is tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.2m to 0.4m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus sphaeroideus grows as a slender perennial rush with long slender rhizomes. The grass-green trigonous culms are glabrous, deep grass-green, semi glossy and measure 200mm to 450mm in length by 0.8mm to 1.2mm across.

The linear leaves of Cyperus sphaeroideus are shorter than the culms and are not septate-nodules. They measure 150mm to 400mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The yellow-orange sheaths are finely dotted and glabrous while the ligules are acute. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescence of Cyperus sphaeroideus are compact globose head like clusters. The solitary clusters measure 5mm to 9mm in length by 4mm to 7mm in diameter. The 2 to 4 involucral leaf like bracts are much longer than the inflorescence, have a strongly prominent midrib on the lower surface which is clearly visible from the upper surface and measure 15mm to 25mm in length. Usually 1 is shorter than the other 2 or 3.

There are 10 to 50 flattened spikelets on each spike which measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length by 0.8mm to 1mm in width. The 1 or 2 florets on each spikelets bloom and are discarded as a single unit.

The similar glumes are white to pastel brown often tinged golden have a short mucronate apex. The midrib is finely toothed with two to four faint nerves. The glumes measure 2mm to 3.5mm in length.

The 2 to 3 stamens are white. The bifid style is white. The flowers appear from August to early April.

The biconvex fruits of Cyperus sphaeroideus are obovate nuts. The nuts measure 1m to 1.3mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.8mm in diameter. The green nuts turn pale brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus sphaeroideus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus sphaeroideus is a small rush like plant that is prostrate and neat in appearance. It can be used as verdant lawn in shady positions where good moisture can be guaranteed. The plants are best used in the water.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 2 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It actually grow best where it spends periods being inundated and extended periods where the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects it usually grows from 100m to 150mm in height by 100mm to 150mm in diameter. When slashed the plants will remain much shorter and become a lot denser.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils exist and are a real problem for other lawn grasses to establish themselves. It is reasonably hard wearing and recovers fairly quickly maintaining a beautiful rich green.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus sphaeroideus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.3 meter to 0.5 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus stradbrokensis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Cyperus, which is probably Latinized from the Egyptian vernacular for papyrus or paper. The earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River.

Specie: From Stradbroke Island, which is Latinized for the Island on the eastern side of Morton Bay and Anum/Ensis, which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plants, which were first discovered on Stradbroke Island.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Common Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus stradbrokensis is found south from the Byfield National Park in Queensland to Hat Head in central coastal New South Wales. It is found east of the Great Dividing Range and on the islands off the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+stradbrokensis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus stradbrokensis prefer light dappled shade to full sunlight. It grows in heath wallums or low depressions in coastal open woodlands and at times littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 4 meters ASL to 20 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 37 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1000mm to 2000mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus stradbrokensis prefer soils that have a high sand content, gravelly sandy loams or peaty sands. The soils are usually derived from accumulated sands or alluvial soils. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and grow in water for 6 months of the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.45m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus stradbrokensis grows as a slender perennial rush with short slender rhizomes. The trigonous culms are glabrous, grass-green, semi glossy and measure 300mm to 450mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm across.

The linear leaves of Cyperus stradbrokensis are septate-nodules, are much shorter than the culms and measure 50mm to 100mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width. The sheaths are pale olive green and often disintegrate leaving the fibrous remains attached to the base of the culms. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus stradbrokensis are simple with 2 to 5 branches. The branches measure 20mm to 40mm in length. There are 2 to 4 involucral, leaf like bracts with the lowest 1 erect. The bracts are much longer than the inflorescences.

There are 4 to 20 flattened spikes in a spike which measure 4.5mm to 5.5mmin length by 1.8mm to 2mm in width. The 9 to 13 floret’s rachilla is wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are white to pale brown with a curved mucronate apex. The glumes have one nerve either side of the midrib. The glumes measure 1mm to 1.3mm length.

There are two white stamens. The trifid style is white. The flowers appear from August to early April.

The triquetrous fruits of Cyperus stradbrokensis are obovoidal to ellipsoidal. The nuts measure 0.6m to 0.8mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.7mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep brown to almost black when ripe

Wildlife:

Cyperus stradbrokensis’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Cyperus stradbrokensis is a slender, small, medium or large spreading rush like plant that has a place around water features but is difficult to incorporate into an appealing garden setting because of its variation in growth habit.

It is versatile in accepting all types of soils and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. it copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It actually grows best where it spends extended periods being inundated and extended periods where the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As such this makes it an excellent plant for erosion control around dams and ponds. As garden subjects it will grow from 100mm to 800mm in height by 150mm to 1200mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use in and at the edge of Melaleuca swamp garden scenes or swampy marsh environments where the ground is seasonally flooded. Mass plantings of 5 or more; of the small plants, even in small areas really do the plants justification however their size at this stage cannot be guaranteed. Medium to large fish or frog ponds may benefit from Cyperus stradbrokensis natural stance when planted in mass but again how can the size be guaranteed.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus stradbrokensis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 0.6 meter to 0.8 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus subulatus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Cyperus, which is probably Latinized from the Egyptian vernacular for papyrus or paper. The earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River.

Specie: From Sūbulātus, which is Latin for an awl or awl shape. It refers to structures or organs, which resemble a spindle in form.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Pointed Flat Sedge.

Distribution:

Cyperus subulatus is found south from Mareeba in coastal northern Queensland to Coffs Harbour in coastal central New South Wales and the islands off the east coast. There are several isolated populations including Arukun in far north Queensland, Dalrymple in central Queensland, Mulgareena Creek, the Piliga outwash in central New South Wales and from Jeparit south to Claire Lake west of Horsham in Victoria.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+subulatus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus subulatus prefer semi shade to full sun. It grows behind coastal frontal dunes adjacent to wallums and depressions holding water in heaths and open woodlands along the coast for short periods and in open sandy depressions that are seasonally flooded in the western zones. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 760 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent or seasonal water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus subulatus prefer sandy soils to light fatty sands. The soils are usually derived from accumulated beach sands or decomposed sandstone or granite. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:

Coastal Plants 0.2m to 0.5m by 0.2m to 0.6m

Inland Plants 0.1m to 0.25m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Cyperus subulatus is a densely tufted perennial rush with very short rhizomes. The erect trigonous culms are smooth, glabrous and swollen at the base. The slender culms usually measure 300mm to 500mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm diameter.

In land plants are generally smaller and measure 150mm to 250mm in height by 1mm to 1.3mm in diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus subulatus are usually as long as the culms and measure 300mm to 500mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm width while the inland plants leaves measure 150mm to 250mm in length by 1mm to 2mm width. The sheaths are olive-green. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus subulatus are erect simple spikes with 3 to 5 branches. The branches measure 50mm to 80mm in length. The spikes are spictate to subdigitate clusters. The broad-cylindrical to obovoid clusters measure 8mm to 12mm by 35mm to 50mm in diameter. The 2 involucral leaf like bracts are longer than inflorescence.

The 6 to 20 flattened spikelets on each rachis measure 8mm to 30mm in length. The 5 to 16 floret’s rachilla are broadly winged and persistent or are discarded as a single unit.

The similar glumes are red-brown or greenish-brown with a reddish-brown tinge and an obtuse apex. The appressed glumes have one to three nerves on each side of the midrib. The glumes measure 2.8mm to 3.5mm length.

There are 3 cream stamens. The white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus subulatus are narrow obovoidal to ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.5mm to 1.7mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.7mm in diameter. The green nuts turn yellow-brown to almost black when ripe.

The shorter inland forms glumes measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length and often have no reddish tinge. The nuts measure 1.1mm to 1.3mm in length by 0.4mm to 0.5mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Cyperus subulatus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Cyperus subulatus is a medium rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It is ideal in almost every setting adjacent to forests where it can be used as a fill in plant, rock gardens or arid gardens.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It can cope with a seasonal inundation or where periodic down pours may flood the land short periods. Unlike most Cyperus it prefers to be on the drier side and actually grows best when they on sloping well drained soils in dappled light to full sun. As garden subjects the coastal form will grow from 400m to 450mm in height by 500mm to 600mm in diameter when grown in the open while the western form will grow 150m to 300mm in height by 250mm to 450mm in diameter when grown in the open.

It is most suitable for along driveways slopes and banks where annuals are the main target as it breaks up the solid leaf pattern and horizontal growth.

When you design a miniature desert garden, use contours to display the plants to their best. Don’t make straight lines but use curves rocks boulders and old gnarled logs at add that dry desolate affect. Use small tussock grasses like Carex or Lomandra like Lomandra leucocephala or Cyperus exaltatus adjacent to Grevillea centtristigma to give Cyperus subulatus height. Place the plants so that there are gaps between them once it is full established as desert scenes are never to be overcrowded.

Place it near old stumps and roots to make the stumps or roots look larger. Select an area of ground and let your hair down and be imaginative and this is the plant that may just change your life. Remember use the inland form in smaller gardens and rockeries and the coastal form in larger beds. Plant sparingly with the other plants when planting and remember that deserts are rolling flat plains not steep hills so it is best to use a gentle slope or a basin with a small pool at the bottom.

Alternatively a larger billabong affect could be the the go, not a waterfall or cascades.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus subulatus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus tetraphyllus

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Cyperus, which is probably from the Latinized Egyptian vernacular for papyrus or paper. The earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River.

Specie: From Tetra, which is Ancient Greek for four and Phullon/Phýllon, which is Ancient Greek for a leaf. It refers to leaves, which have a square cross section.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus tetraphyllus is found south from Mareeba on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to Shoalhaven Bay in southern coastal New South Wales. There are several isolated populations in Carnarvon Gorge National Park. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+tetraphyllus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus tetraphyllus prefer semi shade to light dappled shade. It grows in subtropical rainforests, tropical rainforests or adjacent to moist rainforests where openings appear near creeks streams and rivers or along drainage lines. The altitude ranges from 100 meters ASL to 700 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus tetraphyllus prefer sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, metashales and shale. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 6.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.5m by 0.5m to 0.9m

Characteristics:

Cyperus tetraphyllus is a tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes. The erect triquetrous culms are smooth and glabrous. The slender culms usually measure 300mm to 500mm in length by 1.2mm to 2.5mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus tetraphyllus are septate-nodules, usually shorter than the culms or longer than the culms. The leaves measure 200mm to 650mm in length by 2mm to 5mm in width. The yellow-orange sheaths are finely dotted and glabrous while the ligules are acute. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus tetraphyllus are usually simple spikes with 4 to 10 branches or rarely in clustered heads. The branches measure 40mm to 100mm in length. The 3 to 6 involucral leaf like bracts are longer than the inflorescence.

The 2 to 5 flattened spikes in each cluster measure 6mm to 40mm in length 1.7mm to 2mm in width. The 10 to 60 floret’s rachilla are wingless and are persistent.

The similar glumes are deep red-brown to almost black with an obtuse or mucronate apex and several thick nerves either side of the midrib. The glumes measure 1.5mm to 2mm length.

There are 3 white stamens. The white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus tetraphyllus are ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1.2mm to 1.4mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.8mm in diameter. The green nuts turn khaki to ochre when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus tetraphyllus’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus tetraphyllus is a medium rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It deserves a place around medium water feature or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with it accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 39 degrees. It copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It actually grow best where it spends extended periods being inundated and extended periods where the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects it will grow from 350m to 450mm in height by 500mm to 650mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in flower or 3 planted in a large pot placed in or near the edge of a pond. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus tetraphyllus relaxing natural habit when planted as a single entity or in pairs.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants. Those planted at the sides and in the foreground should be no more than 200mm in height to maintain a good balance. To the rear plants should be 50mm to 800mm in height and spread to again give balance and to make the area look larger. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. Strong greys with yellow or red flowers bring out boldness while greens and blues will blend and white flowers will offer purity with a clean fresh look.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus tetraphyllus seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus trinervis

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Cyperus, which is probably from the Latinized Egyptian vernacular for papyrus or paper. The earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River.

Specie: From Treîs/Tría, which are Ancient Greek or Tri, which is Latin for three and Neûron, which is Ancient Greek or nerves, which is Latin for a nerve. It refers to leaves or phyllodes, which have three, prominent parallel veins.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus trinervis is found south from the Mangkan Kanju National Park on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to Nowra in southern coastal New South Wales. There are several isolated populations in far north western Queensland on Settlement Creek and Massacre Inlet which may indicate that Cyperus trinervis is more widely distributed than the maps indicates.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+trinervis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus trinervis prefer semi shade to light dappled shade. It grows in wet shaded spots in open woodlands, vine forests and open monsoonal forests. It is found in any area where the soil is wet all year. The plants can grow in water for 6 months of the year and dry out for 6 months provided there is still ground moisture available. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 760 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 2400mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus trinervis prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from most types of decomposed rocks especially sandstone and accumulated sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It is tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.15m to 0.5m by 0.3m to 0.8m

Characteristics:

Cyperus trinervis is a small erect to pendulant tufted perennial rush with very short rhizomes. The trigonous culms are smooth and glabrous. The leaf sheaths disintegrate to leave the fibrous remains attached to the base of the culms. The slender culms usually measure 150mm to 500mm in length by 0.5mm to 1.5mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus trinervis are scarcely septate-nodules, with base leaves being shorter than the culms and the longest leaves being equal in length to the culms. The leaves measure 100mm to 500mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width. The yellow-orange sheaths are finely dotted and glabrous while the ligules are acute. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus trinervis are erect simple spikes with 3 to 8 branches. The branches measure 50mm to 80mm in length. The digitate clusters measure 10mm to 20mm in diameter. The 1 or 2 involucral leaf like bracts are often much longer than inflorescence and measure 45mm to 75mm in length.

The 3 to 8 flattened spikelets measure 4mm to 14mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in width. The 10 to 20 floret’s rachilla are wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are off white to pale brown with a prominent green midrib and an obtuse apex. The glumes are without keels and have a single nerve and measure 1.2mm to 1.6mm in length.

There are 3 white stamens. The white style is trifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The trigonous fruits of Cyperus trinervis are ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 0.9mm to 1.1mm in length by 0.5mm to 0.6mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus trinervis’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus trinervis is a slender, small, medium or large spreading rush like plant that has a place around water features but is difficult to incorporate into an appealing garden setting because of its variation in growth habit.

It is versatile in accepting all types of soils and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It actually grows best where it spends extended periods being inundated and extended periods where the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As such this makes them an excellent plant for erosion control around dams and ponds. As garden subjects it will grows from 100mm to 450mm in height by 100mm to 500mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use in and at the edge of Melaleuca swamp garden scenes or swampy marsh environments where the ground is seasonally flooded. Mass plantings of 5 or more; of the small plants, even in small areas really do the plants justification however their size at this stage cannot be guaranteed. Medium to large fish or frog ponds may benefit from Cyperus trinervis natural stance when planted in mass but again how can the size be guaranteed.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus trinervis seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Cyperus unioloides

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Cyperus, which is probably from the Latinized Egyptian vernacular for papyrus or paper. The earliest form of paper was made from the plants along the Nile River.

Specie: From Oîos, which is Ancient Greek or ūnum, which is Latin for one or a single unit, Olea, which is Latin for an olive and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to plants, which have a single nut which resembles a small olive in colour and form.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Cyperus unioloides is found in several disjunct populations south from Cairns to Dalrymple in far north Queensland, Proserpine, Bundaberg to Carnarvon National Park and Maryborough to the Tweed River south bank in New South Wales. In New South Wales it is found from Glenn Innes to Coffs Harbour.

In the Northern Territory it is found in an area bounded by the head waters of Hermit Creek to Yambarran Range to Nitmiluk and Pine Creek.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Cyperus+unioloides#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Cyperus unioloides prefer semi shade to full sun. It grows in heath land swamps and wallums. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to over 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 3200mm average per annum, however this is of little consequence as the plants grow where permanent water or moisture is found.

Soil Requirements:

Cyperus unioloides prefer sandy soils to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalts, black basalts, sandstone or accumulated beach sands behind the frontal dunes. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.9m by 0.2m to 0.5m

Characteristics:

Cyperus unioloides is a densely tufted perennial rush with short rhizomes which are bulbous at the base. The erect, triquetrous culms are smooth and glabrous on the basal half and are slightly scabrous on the apical half. The slender culms usually measure 300mm to 900mm in length but can grow to 1000mm in length under ideal conditions by 1mm to 2.2mm diameter.

The linear leaves of Cyperus unioloides are shorter than the culms and measure 200mm to 800mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The reddish-orange to deep reddish-brown sheaths are glabrous while the ligules are acute. The leaf bases are clasping while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green and glabrous. The midrib is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Cyperus unioloides are erect simple spikes with 3 to 6 branches. The branches measure 20mm to 100mm in length. The spikes are solitary at the nodes. The lowest involucral bract is longer than the inflorescence. The spikes are long, clustered heads or subdigitate clusters which are broad ovoidal. The spikes measure 20mm to 40mm in length by 20mm to 40mm in diameter. The 2 to 4 involucral leaf like bracts are longer than inflorescence and measure 50mm to 200mm in length by 2mm to 3,5mm in width.

There are 4 to 12 flattened spikelets on each spike which measure 8mm to 18mm in length by 3mm to 5mm in width. The 12 to 24 floret’s rachilla are wingless and persistent.

The similar glumes are yellowish to golden brown or dark red-brown with hyaline margins with an acute apex. The glumes have three nerves along the midrib. The glumes measure 3.5mm to 4.5mm length by 2.5mm to 3mm in diameter.

There are 3 white stamens. The white style is bifid. The flowers appear from late September to early February.

The biconvex fruits of Cyperus unioloides are obovate to ellipsoidal nuts. The nuts measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length by 0.8mm to 1mm in diameter. The green nuts turn grey to almost black when ripe.

Wildlife:

Cyperus unioloides’ wildlife is unknown to the author however the green seeds are popular among small aviary parrots and budgerigars.

Cultivation:

Cyperus unioloides is a medium rush like plant that is erect and neat in appearance. It deserves a place around larger water features or in courtyards. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards or around swimming pools where good moisture can be guaranteed with plenty of sun shine. The plants are best used in the water.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but it is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It copes with regular inundations where periodic down pours may flood the land. It actually grows best where it spends extended periods being inundated and extended periods where the surface dries out but where sub terrain water is always available. As garden subjects they will grow from 750m to 900mm in height by 300mm to 400mm in diameter.

It is most suitable for use where wet boggy soils are a real problem. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; it really does the plants justification especially when it is in flower or 3 planted in a large pot placed near the edge of a pond. Medium to large fish or frog ponds will benefit from Cyperus unioloides strong stance when planted as a single entity.

If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants. Those planted at the sides and in the foreground should be no more than 350mm in height to maintain a good balance. To the rear plants should be 1500mm to 2000mm in height and spread to again give balance and to make the area look larger. Use plants of different foliage types and colours. Strong greys with yellow or red flowers bring out boldness while greens and blues will blend and white flowers will offer purity with a clean fresh look.

Propagation:

Seeds: Cyperus unioloides seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh ripe seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. Keep the mix wet at all times. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Germination is rapid and usually complete in 21 to 30 days

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 1.5 meter to 2 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers: