Native Plants

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Smith, R.W.

Cyperus bipartitus

Cyperus bipartitus Torr.

Slender Flatsedge, Shining Cyperus

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonym(s): Cyperus niger var. rivularis, Cyperus rivularis, Pycreus rivularis

USDA Symbol: CYBI6

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Umbels of spikelets with reddish-brown scales enclosing tiny flowers atop a slender, triangular stem.

Although members of the sedge family resemble grasses, they are not good forage plants and are of little economic value, with the exception of those species used in making commercial mattings. Their seeds are eaten by some birds.

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Spike
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Black

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: NB
Native Distribution: Ontario east to New Brunswick, south to Georgia, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota; also in northwestern United States and California.
Native Habitat: Wet fields, ditches, marshes, and streambanks.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

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.

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

Metadata

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

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