Cyperus nutans

Cyperus nutans is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to Australia,[2] and to China, India, Bangladesh, south-east Asia, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia.[1]

Cyperus nutans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Cyperus
Species:	C. nutans
Binomial name
Cyperus nutans Vahl
Synonyms[1]
Cyperus bispicatus Steud. Cyperus racemosus Retz.

The rhizomatous perennial sedge typically grows to a height of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft).[2] The culms are three sided with sharp edges and concave sides. The culms are typically up 100 cm (39 in) in length and have a diameter of 10 mm (0.39 in). The leaves are usually shorter than the culms and have a width of around 6 to 12 mm (0.24 to 0.47 in).[3] It blooms between February and July and produces brown flowers.[2] Each compound inflorescence has six to ten primary branches up to a length of 30 cm (12 in). The narrow-cylindrical spikes have a length of 2 to 3 cm (0.79 to 1.18 in) with a 5 mm (0.20 in) diameter. After flowering a dark brown narrow-ellipsoid to narrow-obovoid shaped nut will form.[3]

The species was first formally described by the botanist Martin Vahl in 1805 as part of the work Enumeratio Plantarum, from a specimen collected in India.[4][5] The only two subspecies are Cyperus nutans subsp. nutans and Cyperus nutans var. nutans.[6]

The plant is found in northern and eastern Australia in coastal areas in the states of New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.[6] In Western Australia it is found around shady swamps and pools in the Kimberley region where it grows in sandy-clay soils.[2] In New South Wales it is only found in the north eastern corner where it is found along creek banks.[3]