Cyperus erythrorhizos Muhlenb.   Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)   Native   Red-Rooted Cyperus   Red-Rooted Umbrella Sedge

                                         October Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Cespitose annual; culms smooth, bluntly triangular, 1-10 dm. tall, roots reddish; lvs. several, flat, ca. as long as culm, 2-10 mm. wide, scaberulous on margins and midrib; involucral lvs. 4-10, 5-70 cm., unequal, with scaberulous margins; infl. a compound or sometimes simple umbel; rays 1-30 cm. long, with numerous divaricate linear spikelets 3-10 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide; rachis winged at each node; scales oblong-obovate, mucronulate, keeled, with green midrib and golden-brown sides; stamens 3; style 3-fid; ak. sharply triangular, sessile, mucronate, grayish white.

Habitat:  Marshy places below 5000 ft.; several Communities; Imperial Co. and cismontane s. Calif.; to Wash., Atlantic Coast.  July-Oct.

Name:  Greek, cypeiros, the classical name.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 897).  Greek, erythros, reddish.  (Jaeger 97).  Greek, rhizos, root.  (John Johnson). The Greek thryon, means reed and it is possible that the species name incorporates this word or the species name means red rooted. (my comments). 

General:  Rare in the study area, having been found only once and this in the freshwater seep along Back Bay Dr. at the bottom of the hill where it terminates into Eastbluff Dr.      A genus of about 600 spp., of trop. and temp. regions.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 896).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 1139; Mason 277; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 897; Roberts 43.

Photo Ref:  Oct 1 86 # 3.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 311.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 12/20/02.