![]() ![]() The thick rhizomes creep horizontally along the soil, anchored by numerous roots. These are triangular in shape and a reddish brown color. The new rhizomes and culm bases are covered by papery scales, which are actually reduced leaves. This herbaceous perennial produces just a few basal leaves and many strong, deep green, triangular (3-sided) stems (culms) from woody rhizomes. Papyrus is a vigorous grower that can grow up to 16 feet tall in its native habitat but the ornamental selections are typically a more modest 3-6 feet. Upright stems topped with airy foliage gives this species a tiered effect that is quite ornamental. The starchy rhizomes and culms are edible, both raw and cooked, and the buoyant stems were used for making small boats. In ancient times it was widely cultivated in the Nile Delta, but now is nearly extinct there. The large, dense populations often line bodies of water. It is native throughout the wetter parts of Africa, Madagascar andĮach stem is topped with feather-duster-like growth.Īround the southern Mediterranean where it occurs in vast stands in swamps, shallow lakes, and along stream banks throughout the wetter parts of Africa. papyrus, also called Egyptian reed or paper reed, is a clump-forming African species hardy in zones 9-12. Papyrus is a sedge (family Cyperaceae) – one of about 600 species in the genus Cyperus – that is probably best known as the source of ancient paper called papyrus. It can also cause erosion around waterbodies/waterways if the area does not regenerate quickly after slashing.Īs with all weeds, but especially aquatic ones, early detection and control is paramount to avoid the difficult process of controlling an established infestation.Papyrus is a sedge that naturally grows in shallow water and wet soils. However, this can result in seed spread if done when the seed is viable. Some success has also been achieved by continuous slashing around the edges of infestations. A follow-up treatment in 3-4 weeks and long-term monitoring and follow-up treatments will be required to assure longterm control of this invasive weed. However, once the plant has spread to form a dense thicket around a waterbody or waterway the best control method is to hand weed around native sedges and rushes such as Woolly Frogmouth, and then conduct a selective spray treatment with herbicide formulated for use in aquatic environments such as Roundup Biactive® or Weedmaster® DUO. Manual removal of Dwarf Papyrus when in small populations is the easiest and best control method. Why do we need to control this weedy cyperus? Well, if it is allowed to reproduce it will out-compete native species in a short period of time and change the natural ecosystem making it more difficult for both the native flora and fauna that would have once thrived in the area. Each seedhead has a grouping of over 100 flowering rays each containing a number of green turning reddish-brown florets as they mature. ![]() The flowering stems are rigid and upright with large, spherical shaped seed-heads. It can also reproduce via seed, hence the species name ‘prolifer’ meaning a prolific producer. Like many sedges, the leaves of Dwarf Papyrus are reduced to sheaths at the base of the stem.ĭwarf Papyrus reproduces via its rhizomes, which spread along the ground creating large colonies of plants that are very tough and hard to remove once having taken hold of an area. Dwarf Papyrus can grow to 60cm high, usually in thickets as shown in the header photo. Dwarf Papyrus is a perennial plant that likes to grow in sunny, damp or inundated areas with still or slow-moving water. In the natural environment Dwarf Papyrus invades wetland areas and is a smaller version of the other invasive sedge, Papyrus ( Cyperus papyrus). As with many ornamental plants, it marched its way beyond the garden fence and found its way into the landscapes of Queensland and northern NSW. It has been extensively cultivated as an ornamental pond plant in Australia and is readily sold in many nurseries as a water garden feature. The rhizomes were also used as a food source, although they are not very palatable. This weedy sedge is native to Africa and was historically used to make paper. It has now been identified as occurring in most of the rural areas within swamps, wetlands, drainage lines, water bodies and waterways. Over the last few years Dwarf Papyrus ( Cyperus prolifer) has been increasing in its occurrence and density throughout the Redland City boundaries. ![]()
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