Bayshore/ Toothed Cyperus

COMMON NAME: Toothed Cyperus

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Toothed Umbrella Sedge

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cyperus dentatus

FAMILY: Cyperaceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 4 to 20 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to October

FRUITING TIME: Late August to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to West Virginia and North Carolina ~ Statewide in NJ, especially abundant in Pine Barrens

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Spikelets reddish brown, 3/4 inch long, flat, rounded, one at end of each stem, in several rows around stem, bear obovoid trigonous (3 angled) achenes (small, 1-celled fruit) ~ Short rhizomes ending in tubers ~ Stem solitary ~ Leaves numerous, narrow, about as long as stem, midvein prolonged with stout point

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