Cyperus ustulatus
a perennial member of the Cyperus genus in the family Cyperaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Genus
- Cyperus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are used for weaving hats, matting etc[5], they are also used for thatching[2]. The plant has an extensive root system and is used for binding sand dunes[2].
- Product or use
- Thatching
- Product or use
- Weaving
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Lowland near rivers and in damp ground, especially near the coast, on Kermadec, North, South and Chatham Islands[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- high
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in the spring and keep the compost moist[4]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 18°c[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on for their first winter in a greenhouse and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. If dividing in the autumn, it is probably better to overwinter the divisions in pots in a greenhouse.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a moist sandy loam[7][1]. At least some forms of this plant may be hardy in Britain[3].
References
Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. 1984-00-00 ISBN 0802707699
Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2
Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3