Cyperus victoriensis

Cyperus victoriensis, also known as channel nut grass is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to Australia.[1][2]

Cyperus victoriensis
Conservation status
Priority One — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Cyperus
Species:	C. victoriensis
Binomial name
Cyperus victoriensis C.B.Clarke

The rhizomatous perennial herb to grass-like sedge typically grows to a height of 0.6 to 1.0 metre (2.0 to 3.3 ft).[1] It has slender rhizomes that form ovoid to ellipsoid shaped woody tubers that are 5 to 10 millimetres (0.197 to 0.394 in) in diameter. The mostly terete culms are smooth and trigonous with a length of 30 to 100 cm (12 to 39 in) and a diameter of 3 millimetres (0 in). The leaves are not septate-nodulose and usually half the length of the culm with a width of 2 to 4 mm (0.079 to 0.157 in).[3]

The simple inflorescence has three to eight primary branches with a length of about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) that is often bent under the weight of the spikelets. The spikes have an ovoid shape and a length of around 4 cm (1.6 in) and a diameter of around 3 cm (1.2 in). The spikelets are flattened with 3 to 15 on each spike containing around 40 flowers. Later a trigonous, narrowly obovoid gery-brown to black nut will form with a length of 1.5 to 1.7 mm (0.059 to 0.067 in) and a diameter of 0.7 mm (0.028 in).[3]

It is endemic to much of mainland Australia and is found in all states.[3] In Western Australia and is found along streams and creeks in the Kimberley region where it grows in sandy-clay soils.[1] In New South Wales it is widespread through most non-coastal areas and is known on floodplains and the banks of inland watercourses mostly on clayey soils.[3] It is found in north western Victoria from the mallee through to the Riverina.[4]