Umbrella sedge
Cyperus involucratus, Fam. Cyperaceae
Perennial sedge to 1m tall with short creeping rhizomes and tufted erect glabrous ridged stems, 3-5mm thick; cylindrical or triangular below seed heads. Previously Cyperus flabelliformis.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Sedges, Rushes and allies |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Basal Simple, basal, reduced to long sheaths. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Red, Brown |
| Flower description: | Fawn to reddish brown in compound umbels with numerous rays to 100mm long, as well as many dark green leaf-like bracts to 400mm long, radiating like the spokes of an umbrella from the top of the stem. Rays terminate in groups of spikelets each producing 20-40 yellowish-brown, oval nuts, triangular in cross-section, 0.8-0.9 x 0.4-0.5mm. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Yellow |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Rays terminate in groups of spikelets each producing 20-40 yellowish-brown, oval nuts, triangular in cross-section, 0.8-0.9 x 0.4-0.5mm. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Africa |
| Notes: | Spread by: nuts and vegetative material in garden waste, water, contaminated soil. Invades/threats: damp areas, creek banks and in water up to 400mm deep. Notes: originally a horticultural ornamental. Known to be naturalised in a number of waterways within this region. Once established is very persistent, forming extensive colonies that impede water flow. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
