Cyperus alopecuroides, commonly known as the foxtail flatsedge,[2] is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to parts of Africa, Asia and Australia.[3]
| Cyperus alopecuroides | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Cyperus |
| Species: | C. alopecuroides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb. 1773
| |
Description
editThe perennial and rhizomatous sedge typically grows to a height of 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 4.9 ft). It has few glabrous culms that have triangular cross section. The culms are 22 to 140 cm (8.7 to 55.1 in) in length and have a width of 3.5 to 8.4 mm (0.14 to 0.33 in). The green leaves are crowded ad the base of the plant and can be up to 100 cm (39 in) in length. The leaves have reddish-brown to blackish coloured sheaths that are 7 to 31 cm (2.8 to 12.2 in) in length. The linear shaped leaf blades are flat or W-shaped and taper to a slender point with a length of 37 to 75 cm (15 to 30 in) and a width of 4 to 15 mm (0.16 to 0.59 in).[3]In Australia, the plant blooms between May and July producing yellow-brown flowers.[4]
Taxonomy
editThe species was first described in 1773 by the botanist Christen Friis Rottbøll in the work Descriptionum et Iconum Rariores. There are nine synonyms including; Chlorocyperus alopecuroides, Cyperus bidentatus, Cyperus glomeratus, Juncellus alopecuroides and Juncellus pallidiflorus.[3]
Distribution
editThe plant is found in parts of Africa from Egypt to Eswatini in parts of Asia including Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India. It is also found in parts of northern Australia. It is often situated in seasonally wet grasslands, swamps, and old cultivations ranging from sea level to an altitude of 1,800 m (5,900 ft).[3] In Western Australia, it is found around lakes and swamps in the eastern Kimberley region extending across northern parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lansdown, R.V., Beentje, H.J., Daoud-Bouattour, A., Ghrabi-Gammar, Z., Muller, S., Ben Saad, S. & Mahamane, A. (2018). "Foxtail Sedge Cyperus alopecuroides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T164443A120147992. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T164443A120147992.en. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Cyperus alopecuroides". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb". Kew Science – Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Cyperus alopecuroides". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.