Cyperus - Chufa, Earth Almond, Egyptian Paper Reed, Nile Grass, Papyrus, Pygmy Papyrus, Sweet Galingale, Umbrella Plant, Umbrella Sedge
(Cyper'us)
DESCRIPTION: These tender, aquatic perennials are grown for their decorative foliage. They are natives of Palestine, Brazil, S. Africa, Europe and North America. C. alternifolius (Umbrella Plant; Nile Grass) produces clumps of long stems, 1 to 3 feet normally, but up to 5 feet in excellent conditions; these are crowned with long, slender, radiating, dark green leaves like an umbrella, thus the common name. Its variety, variegatus, has green and white leaves. Small, brown or green, fuzzy flowers are produced from the tops of the stems. C. Papyrus (Egyptian Paper Reed) produces clumps of long dark green stems, 12 to 15 feet high, topped with a bush of drooping, grass-like leaves and brown flower spikelets nearly a foot in length. Some varieties of Cyperus are valued economically. C. esculentus (Chufa; Earth Almond) produces underground "nuts", called chufa nuts, which are edible when dry and are used to some extent for stock feed. Documents made from C. Papyrus have been found in Egyptian tombs. Others are used for making ropes, mats, medicine, etc.
POTTING: Since these plants are semi-aquatic, they require a large amount of water continuously. They are suitable for growing outdoors in boggy soil and on the edges of ponds and streams. Depending on the eventual size of the plants, they are planted in 2- to 20-gallon containers filled with rich, fertile soil and grown in shallow water. C. alternifolius can be grown under 1 to 6 inches of water; C. giganteous (Mexican Papyrus) and C. papyrus under 1 to 12 inches; C. haspan (Dwarf Papyrus; Pygmy Papyrus) under 1 to 4 inches and C. longus (Sweet galingale; Umbrella Sedge) under 2 to 4 inches. Most of these plants are tropical (C. longus is the exception), therefore, in cool climates they should be wintered indoors. When wintering indoors, they should be kept very moist by placing the plants in a deep dish of water that covers the bottom half of the pot. Set in a sunny window. Since these plants love humidity, a great place to store them (as long as it's quite bright) would be a bathroom or kitchen. They may be returned outdoors once the nights warm up to around 60º F. C. longus only needs to be brought inside in climates with very harsh winters. When brought indoors, do not fertilize. Growth will resume in the spring.
PROPAGATION: The clumps may be divided in the spring. Stratified seeds may be sown in moist soil. Flower heads that are cut off and floated upside down in the water will also form new plants.
VARIETIES:
Tender kinds - C. alternifolius (Umbrella Plant; Nile Grass) & var. variegatus, nana, gracilis; C. giganteous (Mexican Papyrus); C. haspan (Dwarf Papyrus; Pygmy Papyrus) & var. vivparous; C. Papyrus (Egyptian Paper Reed; Giant Papyrus); C. diffusus (Dwarf Umbrella Plant);
Hardy kinds - C. longus (Sweet galingale; Umbrella Sedge); C. esculentus (Chufa; Earth Almond).
Egyptian Giant Papyrus
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