Bayshore/ Nuttells Cyperus

COMMON NAME: Nuttall’s Cyperus

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Nuttall’s Umbrella Sedge

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cyperus filicinus

FAMILY: Cyperaceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: to 10 inches

FLOWERING TIME: August to October

FRUITING TIME: Late August to October

DISTRIBUTION: Maine to Florida west to Louisiana ~ Throughout coastal strip of NJ and Delaware Bay shore ~ Grows in brackish marshes and sandy beaches

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stem slender, soft, tufted, erect or depressed ~ Leaves shorter than stem, narrow, lance shaped ~ Flowers borne in spikelets arranged in spikes 1 inch long, rounded, loosely clustered at end of stem, yellowish brown, serrated appearance

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family, Cyperaceae, is commonly called the Sedge family.  The species, filicinus, means fern-like. The seeds of the Nuttal’s Cyperus are eaten by song birds.  These sedges provide protection wildlife and nesting material for birds. The following rhythm may help distinguish sedges from the similar appearing rushes and grasses: Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have joints from the tips to the ground. The stems of sedges are triangular shape in cross-section. Many other species of Cyperus are used as foods or medicines.  For example, Cyperus esculentus is a popular food in the Nile Valley and is regarded as a digestive tonic, Cyperus rotundus is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a liver tonic to counter indigestion and to promote menstruation, Cyperus stolonifera native to tropical regions is thought to ease stomach pain and act as a heart stimulant.  Perhaps the most well known Cyperus species is papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)--this plant provided fiber for the first writing paper, invented by the ancient Egyptians.  Papyrus was also chewed like sugar cane and used medicinally in eye compresses and to bandage open wounds.

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.