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Cyperus laevigatus

L. (1771)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Poales Family: Cyperaceae Genus: Cyperus

ehu‘awa, makaloa, makoloa

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennials, rhizomes creeping, short or elongate, clothed with brown scales.

Stems: culms arranged in a single row along the rhizome, widely or closely spaced, smooth, moderately stout, trigonous, 10–45 cm tall.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. alternate Leaves reduced to bladeless sheaths, 3–30 mm long. Apex mucronate. Surfaces green, glaucous, subulate, convolute. Margins entire. Sheathing; sheaths 2–3, brown or dark brown, obliquely truncate at orifice, the uppermost sheath with a short blade. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences anthelate, capitate with 1–12 sessile spikelets; involucral bracts 2, the longer one culmlike, erect, 3–8 cm long, much longer than the inflorescence, the shorter one spreading; spikelets 12–24–flowered, pale yellowish brown, lanceolate–oblong, slightly swollen, 7–12 mm long, ca. 2 mm wide, apex acute, rachilla tetragonal, not winged; glumes pale yellowish brown, herbaceous, closely spaced, broadly ovate, 2–2.3 mm long, occasionally with rusty brown striations, 3–4–nerved on the dorsally depressed keel, apex obtuse or mucronulate. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Corolla (petals) absent. Ovary superior; styles short; stigmas 2.

Fruit: Achenes grayish brown; obovate to ovate; dorsiventrally lenticular or convexo–concave; ca. 1.5 mm long; puncticulate; apex obtuse. Seeds 1; seed coat thin; free from pericarp; embryo basal; endosperm abundant.

Ploidy: 2n = 72; 86; 88

Habitat: Occurring on mud flats; sandy coastal sites; and on edges of and in fresh; brackish; and saltwater ponds.

Elevation Range: 0–10 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

Uses and Culture

USES

  • The leaves are used to weave very fine mats and hats, flexible bed or floor coverings, malo and pa‘u skirts (Kamehameha Schools 1994:25).

  • To treat mimi pa‘a and mimi li‘ili‘i, makaloa and ‘awa hiwa, awa mo‘i (both Piper methysticum), kī leaves (ti, Cordyline fruticosa), ‘ōolena root (Cucurma longa), and ‘alaea and palolo clays are mixed into a mash. Then niu water (coconut, Cocos nucifera) is added. The mixture is strained through ‘ahu‘awa (Cyperus javanicus), the liquid is heated and drunk while warm twice a day (Chun 1994:213-214).

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Mokupāpapa (Kure atoll) Indigenous
Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Kamole(Laysan Island) Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Mant. Pl. 2: 179 (1771)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1398 (La, Ni, O, Mo, M, H); Naomi Worcester pers. comm. 2025 (Ku? recently introduced for restoration and now established, but no spms.)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cyperus laevigatus unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH
2 Cyperus laevigatus Kaelepulu Stream, near Kailua Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Oahu BISH 1920-06-01
3 Cyperus laevigatus Waikiki Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 1959 Oahu BISH 1895-03-20
4 Cyperus laevigatus Waipahu, near beach on mud flat Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 758 Oahu BISH 1932-09-25
5 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. 8734 Laysan Island BISH 1911-04-25
6 Cyperus laevigatus Kanaha Pond, off Hana Hwy Preserved_Specimen Holt, R.A. 15937 Maui BISH 1980-11-09
7 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. 8731 Laysan Island BISH 1911-04-25
8 Cyperus laevigatus Oahu Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 43 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
9 Cyperus laevigatus North shore of lake Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1685 Laysan Island BISH 1961-09-05
10 Cyperus laevigatus Wet places near Diamond Head Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 100 Oahu BISH 1922-10-08
11 Cyperus laevigatus Waikiki Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 1959 Oahu BISH 1895-03-20
12 Cyperus laevigatus Oahu Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 43 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
13 Cyperus laevigatus Kuliouou, Maunalua Bay sandspit, near beach, on sand Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 37187 Oahu BISH 1937-02-19
14 Cyperus laevigatus On grassland periodically flooded with winter rains Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 22 Niihau BISH 1939-11-01
15 Cyperus laevigatus By lagoon Preserved_Specimen Butler, G. Laysan Island BISH 1959-04-30
16 Cyperus laevigatus Ponds southern end Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
17 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Beardsley, J.W. Laysan Island BISH 1962-06-15
18 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Schauinsland, H.H. Laysan Island BISH 1896-01-01
19 Cyperus laevigatus Kaali Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
20 Cyperus laevigatus Kaawaloa at edge of pond Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Hawaii BISH 1985-09-04
21 Cyperus laevigatus Kealia Salt Marsh Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Maui BISH 1990-02-15
22 Cyperus laevigatus Waialae Preserved_Specimen Swezey, O.H. Oahu BISH 1945-12-02
23 Cyperus laevigatus Waipio, in damp spot Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH 1954-03-19
24 Cyperus laevigatus Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Pukui, M.K. Oahu BISH 1931-01-01
25 Cyperus laevigatus Salt Lake, water's edge Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Oahu BISH 1903-12-13
26 Cyperus laevigatus Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Oahu BISH 1919-05-01
27 Cyperus laevigatus Kahuku, between ocean and old air strip, in interdune ponds, in brackish water Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. 471 Oahu BISH 1959-09-22
28 Cyperus laevigatus Backwater between highway and beach near Kaunakakai Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1897 Molokai BISH 1970-08-08
29 Cyperus laevigatus Growing underwater and on edge of lagoon predominantly on east side of lagoon Preserved_Specimen Tsuda, R.T. 497 Laysan Island BISH 1963-12-05
30 Cyperus laevigatus West central side of salt lake edge of water about 2 times saltier than the ocean. Assoc. with Ipomoea pes-caprae and Heliotropium curassavicum. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1227 Laysan Island BISH 1968-09-12
31 Cyperus laevigatus Puako quad., Anaehoomalu In swamp ponds. Preserved_Specimen Christensen, Mrs.C. Hawaii BISH 1964-05-11
32 Cyperus laevigatus East Maui, Makawao District, Near La Perouse Bay At margin and submerged in brackish water pool. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 583 Maui BISH 1983-11-20
33 Cyperus laevigatus Kaawaloa Flats, South Kona Growing in coastal marsh. Preserved_Specimen Souza, W. Hawaii BISH 1985-02-05
34 Cyperus laevigatus Saline flats on the western side of the central lagoon With Sesuvium portulacastrum and Heliotropium curassavicum. Preserved_Specimen Forming sparse clumps, extending by means of stolons. Carlquist, S. 2280 Laysan Island BISH 1966-09-16
35 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Low sedge rooted in damp soil at the edge of the lagoon on the west side. Associated with Ipomoea. Preserved_Specimen Long, C.R. 2387 Laysan Island BISH 1964-09-19
36 Cyperus laevigatus Opaeula Pond, Makalawena, Kona Pond 100 meters from ocean. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9755 Hawaii BISH 1982-04-14
37 Cyperus laevigatus Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Pool near Pohaku Point Sedge growing around pool. Preserved_Specimen Abbott, I.A. 91.56 Maui BISH 1991-03-06
38 Cyperus laevigatus Visitor Center and main ruins, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Predominantly exotic vegetation. Area highly modified by ancient Polynesians. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10279 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
39 Cyperus laevigatus Pukoo #2 Common in sandy shore of fish pond. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25163 Molokai BISH 1953-12-23
40 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Collected at the south end of the lagoon in damp soil and associated with Cyperus and Ipomoea. Preserved_Specimen Long, C.R. 2391 Laysan Island BISH 1964-09-19
41 Cyperus laevigatus Edge of lagoon, S end Damp soil. Preserved_Specimen Long, C.R. 2386 Laysan Island BISH 1964-09-19
42 Cyperus laevigatus Northwestern Hawaiian Islands With Ipomoea, Heliotropium, Tribulus and Sesuvium Preserved_Specimen Clumps including mature plants, 0.0-0.3 m. high and seedlings, at 5 m, alt. near shore of the lagoon. Young, A.L. 145 Laysan Island BISH 1964-09-17
43 Cyperus laevigatus Kau Distr., Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Along Halape Beach, some distance west of the Halape shelter Growing in sandy open area. Common. Preserved_Specimen Herat, T. 858 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-30
44 Cyperus laevigatus Brads Pit Edge of fresh water seep Preserved_Specimen Periodically thinned Al-Bayer, S. Kure Atoll BISH 2018-12-31
45 Cyperus laevigatus Kaalualu Bay near South Point Sedge found in marshy areas around the bay in association with Sesuvium and Sporobolus virginicus. Preserved_Specimen Whistler, W.A. 84 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
46 Cyperus laevigatus Maliku, near Paia On spring-fed ledge at base of ocean cliff. Very rare and local. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 21955 Maui BISH 1952-02-26
47 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Collected on the west side of the island just below the campsite and near the edge of the lagoon. Associated with Ipomoea and Cyperus. Preserved_Specimen Long, C.R. 2400 Laysan Island BISH 1964-09-19
48 Cyperus laevigatus Hawaii National Park, Halape Frequent in marshy places. Preserved_Specimen Fagerlund, G.O. 345 Hawaii BISH 1943-02-16
49 Cyperus laevigatus Pouhala Marsh, Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii Growing in 3-6 inches of water, at edge of marsh, infront of and into Typha latifolia. Other species Bolboschoenus maritimus, Bacopa monneri, Eleocharis geniculata, and Batis maritima. Preserved_Specimen Tall spike sedge to 104 cm tall, dark green with, spikelets emerging just down from spike tip. Crago, L.M. 2005211 Oahu BISH 2005-10-12
50 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Collected on the west side of the island just below the campsite and near the edge of the lagoon. Associated with Ipomoea and Cyperus. Preserved_Specimen Long, C.R. 2400 Laysan Island BISH 1964-09-19
51 Cyperus laevigatus Waipio Peninsula; Waipio, Pouhala Marsh between Kapakahi & Waikele Streams On saturated mucky soil w/Bacopa & Batis. Occasional. Preserved_Specimen Sedge 9 tall. Imada, C. 966 Oahu BISH 1996-12-18
52 Cyperus laevigatus Northwestern Hawaiian Islands In a Coconut grove in moist mud/sand soil with Sesuvium. Preserved_Specimen 0.3-0.6 m tall. Conant, S. 153 Laysan Island BISH 1983-07-22
53 Cyperus laevigatus East Maui, Makawao District, Near La Perouse Bay At margin and submerged in brackish water pool. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 583 Maui BISH 1983-11-20
54 Cyperus laevigatus Kahului, Kanaha Pond Common in shallow water. Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 6749 Maui BISH 1981-03-22
55 Cyperus laevigatus Kanaha Pond, Kahului, Maui, Hawaii Growing throughout the pond in standing water several inches deep to wet soil.. Preserved_Specimen Clumping sedge, tall green spikes with several spikelets a few cm down from tip. Crago, L.M. 2005177 Maui BISH 2005-08-09
56 Cyperus laevigatus Maliku, near Paia On spring-fed ledge at base of ocean cliff. Very rare and local. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 21955 Maui BISH 1952-02-26
57 Cyperus laevigatus Opaeula Pond, Makalawena, Kona Pond 100 meters from ocean. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9754 Hawaii BISH 1982-04-14
58 Cyperus laevigatus W. edge of lagoon Dense, erect clumps. Around entire lagoon, some patches on ridges. Preserved_Specimen Daniel, C.W. 11 Laysan Island BISH 1959-07-25
59 Cyperus laevigatus Central Maui, southern coast of isthmus, Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Along Mokulele Hwy access road to refuge main office Forming dense scattered clumps roadside, growing with Sesuvium, Pluchea indica. Occasional in refuge. Fertile. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 9816 Maui BISH 1998-10-06
60 Cyperus laevigatus West of Kalopoeli [sp?] Brackish pond. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9019 Molokai BISH 1928-06-02
61 Cyperus laevigatus East Maui, Makawao District, Near La Perouse Bay At margin and submerged in brackish water pool. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 583 Maui BISH 1983-11-20
62 Cyperus laevigatus Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary Cyperus laevigatus pond. Preserved_Specimen Perennial with rhizomes to 0.5m. Annable, C.R. 3894 Maui BISH 1999-02-04
63 Cyperus laevigatus east Maui, Hana District, Nanualele, north side of Hana Bay. A few patches on exposed lava ridges at margin of anchialine pond. Vegetation: Scaevola, Pandanus, Bacopa, Sesuvium, Hibiscus, Terminalia, Ipomoea, Canavalia, Vigna. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 71801 Maui BISH 2018-07-16
64 Cyperus laevigatus East side of island, edge of lagoon, hard sand Preserved_Specimen 0.3-0.6 m tall. Daniel, C.W. 29 Laysan Island BISH 1959-07-26
65 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Dense patches around lagoon. Lamoureux, C.H. 1680 Laysan Island BISH 1961-09-05
66 Cyperus laevigatus along northwest side of the lagoon Preserved_Specimen Abundant sedge. Herbst, D.R. 6524 Laysan Island BISH 1980-07-13
67 Cyperus laevigatus Edge of lagoon Preserved_Specimen Plant 2-3 ft. high. Wilder, G.P. 460 Laysan Island BISH 1930-08-10
68 Cyperus laevigatus Kailua Turf back of beach. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 9955 Oahu BISH 1929-10-27
69 Cyperus laevigatus Kihei In swampy place. Occasional. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1843 Maui BISH 1937-04-15
70 Cyperus laevigatus Kamalo Marshy areas near road. Associated with Batis and Pluchea indica. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 1763 Molokai BISH 1978-08-09
71 Cyperus laevigatus Kihei In swampy place. Local patch. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1840 Maui BISH 1937-04-15
72 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 9060 Laysan Island BISH 1988-06-19
73 Cyperus laevigatus Niaupala Fishpond, Kaluaaha Brackish marsh. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 19959 Molokai BISH 1939-01-02
74 Cyperus laevigatus Kealia Pond, along the Kihei edge. Batis maritima, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Sporobolus virginicus, and disturbed site vegetation in the area. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Maui BISH 1990-07-20
75 Cyperus laevigatus Halalii Lake, N shore, in dry, subalkaline lake bed Preserved_Specimen Rare. St.John, H. 22749 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
76 Cyperus laevigatus Makawao District, disturbed roadside on highway side of Kanaha Pond (Haleakala Hwy.) Growing along margins of pond and canal adjacent to pond on southwest side. Dominated by grasses, Pluchea indica, and P. symphytifolia. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5801 Maui BISH 1988-03-03
77 Cyperus laevigatus Kealia Salt Marsh Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Maui BISH 1990-02-15
78 Cyperus laevigatus Northeast side of lake Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1684 Laysan Island BISH 1961-09-05
79 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Laysan Island BISH 1903-04-01
80 Cyperus laevigatus Laysan Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Laysan Island BISH 1903-04-01
81 Cyperus laevigatus North shore of lagoon Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1685 Laysan Island BISH 1961-09-05
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