Native Plants

Plant Database

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Romfh, Peggy

Cyperus elegans

Cyperus elegans L.

Royal Flatsedge

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CYEL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Spikelet
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 32 inches tall.
Fruit: Dark reddish-brown & black .

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent. Bloom time denotes fruiting period for Cyperus spp.

Distribution

USA: FL , LA , MS , NM , TX

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW		FACW	FACW		FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0895 Collected Jun 2, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0938 Collected Aug 5, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

2 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1259 Collected 2008-12-21 in Brazoria County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cyperus elegans in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cyperus elegans in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cyperus elegans

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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