Back Dune/ Grays Cyperus

COMMON NAME: Gray’s Cyperus

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Gray’s Umbrella sedge

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cyperus grayii

FAMILY: Cyperaceae

COMMUNITY: Secondary Dune

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 9 inches

FLOWERING TIME: July to October

FRUITING TIME: Late July to October

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts to Florida ~ Throughout coastal plain, decreasing inland in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Spikelets greenish to chestnut colored, loose in many long stemmed heads ~ Leaves bristle-shaped, thread like. The following rhythm may help distinguish sedges from the similar appearing sedges, grasses, and rushes: Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have joints from the tips to the ground. The leaves of Gray’s Cyperus, a sedge, are flat and narrow; they have “edges”.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Cyperaceae family commonly called the Rush or Sedge family includes eight genera and approximately three hundred species of grass-like plants.  In ancient times rushes were used to make roofs, writing instruments, bedding, caulking for ships and some were used to make arrows.  A more poetic use was for musical pipes.  In the Middle Ages rushes were used to cover cold stone floors and were swept away when dirty.  The common name “Gray’s Cyperus” and the species name grayii is for Asa Gray a botanist who discovered this plant.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.