Bayshore/ Shining Cyperus

COMMON NAME: Shining Cyperus

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cyperus bipartitus

FAMILY: Cyperaceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: to 8 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to early October

FRUITING TIME: Late October to November

DISTRIBUTION: Maine to Georgia ~ Statewide in NJ, most common along the coast in wet sand or gravel, muddy or peat soil

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves slender, shorter than stem ~ Tufted ~ Stems reddish-brown ~ Spikelets arranged in spikes ~ Fruit elliptical, obovate achene (1-cell)

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Cyperaceae family is commonly called the Sedge family. The seeds of the Shining 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.