Cyperus eragrostis

pale galingale
tall flatsedge
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Cyperus
Species: C. eragrostis
Binomial name
Cyperus eragrostis
Lam.
Synonyms

Cyperus vegetus

Cyperus eragrostis is a species of sedge known by several common names, including tall flatsedge, nutgrass, tall nutgrass, umbrella sedge, chufa, Earth almond, zula nuts, edible galingale and pale galingale.[1]

Distribution

This species is native to the West Coast of North America from California to Washington, the Southeastern United States, Jamaica, and South America. [2][3][4][5] It has become naturalized elsewhere in some regions in the northeastern and southeastern U.S., Europe, South Africa, and various oceanic islands (Azores, Canary Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Norfolk Island, Easter Island, etc.).[3][6][7] It can become a weed where it is introduced; it has been known to infest rice fields.

It is found in riparian areas, roadsides ditches, damp grasslands, and other moist habitats.[5]

Description

Flowers

Cyperus eragrostis is an herbaceous perennial growing from rhizomes. It is a green sedge with tall, erect stems, 10–90 centimetres (3.9–35.4 in) in height. Long, thin, pointed leaves radiate from the top, similar to parasol ribs.

Its flowers are found within tough, rounded, greenish-yellow or beige spikelets. Fruiting is in the summer.[5]

References

MHNT specimen of seedhead.
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