Cyperus congestus
Dense flat-sedge | |
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Cyperus congestus inflorescence, near Glen Innes, NSW, Australia | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Cyperaceae |
Genus: | Cyperus |
Species: | C. congestus
|
Binomial name | |
Cyperus congestus | |
Synonyms | |
Mariscus congestus (Vahl) C.B.Clarke |
Cyperus congestus, commonly known as dense flat-sedge or clustered flat-sedge,[1] is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to southern Africa mostly in South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia.[1]
Description
The perennial sedge typically grows to a height of 1 metre (3.3 ft) and has a tufted habit. It blooms between July and March produces brown flowers.[2] The sedge has a short rhizome connecting plants together. The culms are smooth and triangular in cross section, they are a pink-red toward the base. The leaves have a width of 4 to 8 millimetres (0.16 to 0.31 in) and are ridged with deep sharp depression down the middle. Between two and seven inflorescences can be found on each stem. The inflorescence are composed of up to 20 or smaller red-brown spikelets which are 10 to 28 mm (0.39 to 1.10 in) in length.[3] After flowering it will form a trigonous dark brown-black nut with a narrow-obovoid shape that is approximately 1.5 mm (0.059 in) with a diameter of around 0.6 mm (0.024 in).[4]
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described by the
Distribution
Its native range includes Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia.[6]
It colonises easily and has been introduced into Australia, where it has now become naturalised. Recognised as a weed in
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Scientific Name Cyperus congestus Vahl". Weeds of Australia. Queensland Government. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b Justin Chu (2005). "Cyperus congestus". International Environmental Weed Foundation. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ a b c "Cyperus congestus Vahl". PlantNET. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "Cyperus congestus Vahl (misapplied to Cyperus polystachyos)". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ Cyperus congestus Vahl. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- Government of Victoria. Retrieved 1 October 2017.