Cyperus bipartitus
Encyclopedia
Cyperus bipartitus is a common species of sedge
known by several common names, including shining flatsedge and river cyperus. The name "slender flatsedge" is also sometimes used but more properly applies to Cyperus gracilis
. C. bipartitus is native to the Americas, where it is found widely distributed from north to south in wet environments, such as lakes, sandbars, and ditches. This is a small annual plant with fibrous roots and thin stems rarely exceeding about 25 centimeters in height. There may be a one to three thin, short leaves around the base of the plant. The inflorescence
is one to two centimeters long and holds several flat spikelets
. These may be surrounded by long, leaflike bract
s. Each spikelet contains flowers covered by dark reddish brown bracts. The achene
fruit is a black disc about a millimeter wide.
Cyperus
Cyperus is a large genus of about 600 species of sedges, distributed throughout all continents in both tropical and temperate regions. They are annual or perennial plants, mostly aquatic and growing in still or slow-moving water up to 0.5 m deep. The species vary greatly in size, with small species...
known by several common names, including shining flatsedge and river cyperus. The name "slender flatsedge" is also sometimes used but more properly applies to Cyperus gracilis
Cyperus gracilis
Cyperus gracilis is a sedge found in Australia. This grass like plant is closely related to the papyrus. It grows to 40 cm high. The habitat is eastern Australia, sometimes seen in drier areas in woodlands, such as Lightning Ridge. It can also be seen growing at high rainfall areas near the...
. C. bipartitus is native to the Americas, where it is found widely distributed from north to south in wet environments, such as lakes, sandbars, and ditches. This is a small annual plant with fibrous roots and thin stems rarely exceeding about 25 centimeters in height. There may be a one to three thin, short leaves around the base of the plant. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is one to two centimeters long and holds several flat spikelets
Raceme
A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate and bears pedicellate flowers — flowers having short floral stalks called pedicels — along the axis. In botany, axis means a shoot, in this case one bearing the flowers. In a raceme, the oldest flowers are borne...
. These may be surrounded by long, leaflike bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
s. Each spikelet contains flowers covered by dark reddish brown bracts. The achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
fruit is a black disc about a millimeter wide.