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Cyperus sandwicensis

Kük. (1920)

This name is accepted

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

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennials with short, woody rhizomes clothed with purplish brown or reddish brown fibrous remnants of cataphylls.

Stems: culms 30–130 cm tall, 5–13 mm in diameter near base, trigonous, smooth.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Leaves several. Blades linear, shorter than to as long as the culm, 7–20 mm wide, coriaceous, finely septate–nodulose, cataphylls purplish brown. Margins entire. Sheathing; sheaths reddish brown or reddish purple. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences large, umbelliform, compound, somewhat lax, 10–25 cm long, 20– 35 cm wide, rays 10–15, spreading, up to 15 cm long, once branched, bearing 1–8 spikes, spikes oblong to cylindrical, 2–8 cm long, 1–2.5 cm wide, moderately densely bearing numerous spikelets, bracteoles shorter than the spikes; involucral bracts 5– 8, lower ones 15–40 cm long, 6–20 mm wide, much longer than the inflorescence; spikelets 4–8–flowered, linear, weakly flattened, 6–13 mm long, 1–1.5 mm wide, divaricate at maturity, rachilla winged; glumes reddish brown, membranous, loosely imbricate, suberect, or slightly spreading at apex of spikelet, oblong to oblong–elliptic, 3.5–4.5 mm long, ca. 1 mm wide, 7–nerved or 9–nerved including the green midnerve, weakly forming a mucro below apex of glume, apex subobtuse. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 3. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Achenes linear–oblong; trigonous; ca. 2 mm long; ca. 0.5 mm wide. Seeds 1; seed coat thin; free from pericarp; embryo basal; endosperm abundant.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Occurring in open wet forest on cliffs; steep slopes; and valley floors.

Elevation Range: (90–)370–1,160 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

Kaua'i Endemic
O'ahu Endemic
Molokai Endemic
Maui Endemic
Hawai'i Endemic

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 16: 430 (1920)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1424 (K, O, Mo, M [as Mariscus sandwicensis]); Tucker 1994:87/Wagner & Herbst 1999:1901 (Syn. M. sandwicensis = C. sandwicensis)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cyperus sandwicensis Waianaeuka, Kaala Preserved_Specimen Webster, G.L. 1544 Oahu BISH 1948-04-18
2 Cyperus sandwicensis Waianae Range, Palehua Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1682 Oahu BISH 1911-04-01
3 Cyperus sandwicensis Mt. Waialeale summit Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 8892 Kauai BISH 1911-10-01
4 Cyperus sandwicensis Aihualama, swimming pool Preserved_Specimen Russell, P. 76 Oahu BISH 1972-07-14
5 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Upper Shelf of Kipahulu Valley in Koukouai Stream Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 2171 Maui BISH 2003-05-13
6 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Upper Shelf of Kipahulu Valley in Koukouai Stream Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 2171 Maui BISH 2003-05-13
7 Cyperus sandwicensis W ridge, Kaipapau valley Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1920-07-11
8 Cyperus sandwicensis Waianaeuka, Kaala Preserved_Specimen Wilbur, R.L. 688 Oahu BISH 1948-04-18
9 Cyperus sandwicensis Makaha Valley, Waianae range Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1909-02-12
10 Cyperus sandwicensis Konahuanui Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Oahu BISH 1904-01-10
11 Cyperus sandwicensis W Namolokama plateau Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 3320 Kauai BISH 1991-06-18
12 Cyperus sandwicensis E Maui, Hana District, eastern Kawaipapa Drainage Basin Rare, occasional terrestrial herbs along perennial stream. Vegetation: Metrosideros/Dicranopteris Lowland Wet Forest w/Cheirodendron,, Melicope, Broussaisia, Perrottetia, Scaevola, Clermontia, Cibotium, Ilex, Coprosma, Kadua, Diplopterygium, Wikstroemia, Dubautia, Cyrtandra, Sadleria, Amauropelta, Clidemia, Hedychium, Tibouchina, Machaerina, Isachne, Sphenomeris, Peperomia, Pipturus, Paspalum, Axonopus, Cyperus, Juncus. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 61304 Maui BISH 2013-06-04
13 Cyperus sandwicensis Waikolu Valley, head Preserved_Specimen Kondo, Y. 58.11 Molokai BISH 1963-08-18
14 Cyperus sandwicensis Mt. Kalena summit, Waianae Metrosideros, Ilex forest Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7403 Oahu BISH 1934-09-30
15 Cyperus sandwicensis Kaala moist forest Preserved_Specimen ~1' erect herb Bryan Jr., E.H. 704 Oahu BISH 1929-04-21
16 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Ainahou, W. Koolau Gap on dripping cliff Preserved_Specimen clumped Stemmermann, R.L. 6848 Maui BISH 1983-07-22
17 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Hana District, Hana Forest Reserve, Kawaipapa drainage basin. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Polyscias, Broussaisia, Dicranopteris, Diplopterygium, Sticherus, Machaerina, Clermontia, Cibotium, Bubautia, Pipturus, Trematolobelia, Sadleria, Dryopteris, Kadua, Coprosma, Labordia, Phyllostegia, Scaevola, Eragrostis, Carex, Amauropelta, Adenophorus, Lellingeria, Lepisorus, Oreogrammitis, Pilea, Selaginella, Peperomia, Juncus, Tibouchina, Hedychium, Paspalum, Sacciolepis, Erechtites. Preserved_Specimen Rare along perennial stream, clumping plants, culms to 2 meters, spikelets reddish brown. #-4 clumps in this area. Oppenheimer, H.L. 81323 Maui BISH 2013-08-19
18 Cyperus sandwicensis Waihanau Stream On open sunny ledge above shady intermittent stream, in disturbed Metrosideros/Dicranopteris forest. Preserved_Specimen Clumping sedge. Oppenheimer, H.L. 90815 Molokai BISH 2008-09-25
19 Cyperus sandwicensis W Maui, Lahaina District, Kauaula Valley, S slope Occasional in dry shrubland on steep rocky slope. Vegetation: Osteomeles, Dodonaea, Leptecophylla, Wikstroemia, Grevillea, Melinis, Opuntia, Carex, Eragrostis, Achyranthes, Nototrichium Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 91305 Maui BISH 2013-09-11
20 Cyperus sandwicensis west Maui, Lahaina District, Kaua'ula Valley, north fork Growing on open talus slope just below pali at back valley wall. Single clump observed, with mature culms and young basal shoots. Preserved_Specimen Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Perrottetia, Pipturus, Dubautia, Machaerina, Rhynchospora, Eragrotis, Sadleria, Ageratina, Erigeron, Lythrum, Epilobium, Cortaderia, Setaria Oppenheimer, H.L. 61201 Maui BISH 2012-06-05
21 Cyperus sandwicensis Lihue District. Iole valley drainage, below ridge line between Kapalaoa and Kawaikini. Metrosideros polymorpha - Dicranopteris linearis wet forest. W/ Machaerina angustifolia, Pritchardia flynnii, Bidens forbesii, Antidesma platyphylla, Cheirodendron trigynum, Bobea elatior, Ilex, Cyanea kahilinensis, Cyanea fissa, weeds: Cyathea cooperi, Psidiu. Preserved_Specimen Sacttered plants on waterfal faces, with fruit. Perlman, S. 23610 Kauai BISH 2013-08-08
22 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, N Waihoi Valley stream bank Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 86 Maui BISH 1972-07-13
23 Cyperus sandwicensis Kalepa ridge, Wailua dry Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1648 Kauai BISH 1936-11-02
24 Cyperus sandwicensis Waihanau Stream On open sunny ledge above shady intermittent stream, in disturbed Metrosideros/Dicranopteris forest. Preserved_Specimen Clumping sedge. Oppenheimer, H.L. 90815 Molokai BISH 2008-09-25
25 Cyperus sandwicensis E Maui, Hana District, eastern Kawaipapa Drainage Basin Rare, occasional terrestrial herbs along perennial stream. Vegetation: Metrosideros/Dicranopteris Lowland Wet Forest w/Cheirodendron,, Melicope, Broussaisia, Perrottetia, Scaevola, Clermontia, Cibotium, Ilex, Coprosma, Kadua, Diplopterygium, Wikstroemia, Dubautia, Cyrtandra, Sadleria, Amauropelta, Clidemia, Hedychium, Tibouchina, Machaerina, Isachne, Sphenomeris, Peperomia, Pipturus, Paspalum, Axonopus, Cyperus, Juncus. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 61304 Maui BISH 2013-06-04
26 Cyperus sandwicensis Waimea District. Wainihi, upper northeastern fork. Closed Metrosideros lowland wet forest, 8-12 meter canopy, surrounded by steep valley walls with Dicranopteris and mixed shrubs, understory dominated by Antidesma, Syzygium, Broussaisia, Perrottetia, Cyrtandra spp., Psychotria spp., Dubautia spp., Labordia spp., Coprosma waimeae, Cheirodendron spp. Preserved_Specimen Sedge, terrestrial, spikelet golden brown or yellow-green, anthers yellow-white, occasional Wood, K.R. 16336 Kauai BISH 2015-03-03
27 Cyperus sandwicensis Kipapa Gulch, Koolau Mts., Waipio along stream bed Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1194 Oahu BISH 1933-08-07
28 Cyperus sandwicensis W Maui, Lihau Montane Wet Shrubland at 4100 ft on a windswept steep slope with Dicranopteris, Lobelia, and native sedges Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 1080 Maui BISH 1991-07-13
29 Cyperus sandwicensis West Maui, Lihau Mountain, Lihau secton West Maui NAR, along windward cliffs at summit LZ, Aspect NE on near vertial windswept slopes. Wet/mesic shrubland: Metrosideros, Vaccinium, Sadleria, Eragrostis, Deschampsia, Lysimachia, Leptecophylla, Luzula, Carex, Osteomeles, Erigeron, Machaerina, Polypodium, Dodonaea, Psilotum, Coprosma, Clermontia, Dicranopteris, Hydrangea, Palhinhaea Preserved_Specimen Common Pezzillo, Z. 1128 Maui BISH 2025-03-27
30 Cyperus sandwicensis Puu Kanehoa, Waianae Mts., Honouliuli moist grassy slope Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 14022 Oahu BISH 1934-01-07
31 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Ainahou, Koolau Gap Near base of waterfall; growing with Hillebrandia. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 469 Maui BISH 1983-07-22
32 Cyperus sandwicensis W Maui, Lahaina District, W Maui Natural Area Reserve, Lihau Section, summit overlooking Olowalu Valley Summit region on windswept cliffs on near vertical slopes. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Sadleria, Dicranopteris, Carex, Rhynchospora, Vaccinium, Deschampsia, Luzula, Lycopodiella, Eragrostis Preserved_Specimen Scattered, about 30 plants observed Oppenheimer, H.L. 41302 Maui BISH 2013-04-02
33 Cyperus sandwicensis Ahupuaa Valley, North Kohala Growing on the stream bank near the confluence of the east and west branches of stream, where the ridge that separates the branches terminates at the streambed. Growing with Metrosideros polymorpha, Psidium guajava, Zingiber zerumbet, Gahnia beecheyi, Pluchea carolinensis. Preserved_Specimen One individual with multiple crowns from a single rhizome. Three inflorescences, one ca 1m tall. Large involucral bracts. VanDeMark, J. 62 Hawaii BISH 2023-09-28
34 Cyperus sandwicensis Waianae Mts., Puu Kaua edge of rainforest Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 20008 Oahu BISH 1939-03-05
35 Cyperus sandwicensis Ahupuaa Valley, North Kohala Growing on the stream bank near the confluence of the east and west branches of stream, where the ridge that separates the branches terminates at the streambed. Growing with Metrosideros polymorpha, Psisium guajava, Zingiber zerumbet, Gahnia beecheyi, Pluchea carolinensis. Preserved_Specimen One individual with multiple crowns from a single rhizome. Three inflorescences, one ca 1m tall. Large involucral bracts. VanDeMark, J. 62 Hawaii BISH 2023-09-28
36 Cyperus sandwicensis Kipapa-Waiahole Crest, Koolau Range Metrosideros, Cheirodendron forest Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7213 Oahu BISH 1934-08-07
37 Cyperus sandwicensis Hanalei, Kalalau rim, NW aspect, below Pihea Peak with Metrosideros, sedges, grasses, bryophytes, Gunnera kauaiensis, Cyanea sylvestris, Dubautia, Dicranopteris, Trematolobelia, Labordia, Scaevola mollis, Cyrtandra kauaiensis, Perrottetia, Mariscus, Rubus argutus, Hedychium gardnerianum, Erigeron karvinskianus Preserved_Specimen old fruit Wood, K.R. 1133 Kauai BISH 1991-08-13
38 Cyperus sandwicensis E ridge, Kaala, Waianaeuka woods Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 9922 Oahu BISH 1929-10-13
39 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Hana District, Waihoi Valley, back of valley Occasional on open, wet vertical slopes such as adjacent to waterfalls in Metrosideros Wet Forest. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 41421 Maui BISH 2014-04-30
40 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Makawao District, Koolau Gap, west side; second cove down from Ainahou, area locally known as Halehaku, but not Halehaku Stream as shown on maps. Occasional, on several wet cliffs in this area in Metrosideros Forest. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 341415 Maui BISH 2015-04-23
41 Cyperus sandwicensis Wahiawa Mts., ridge below Mt. Kahili, windward side base of sheer rock face Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 1127 Kauai BISH 1985-06-07
42 Cyperus sandwicensis head of Kahana Valley, Koolau Range rocky cliffs on windward side Preserved_Specimen Harris, J.A. 242181 Oahu BISH 1924-08-31
43 Cyperus sandwicensis Koolau Summit trail north of Poamoho. Wet cliff. Observed north and south of Poamoho summit on windward cliffs above and below Koolau Summit trail cut. Preserved_Specimen Huge stature Cyperus! Kawelo, K. 539 Oahu BISH 2020-08-03
44 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii's Wiakamoi Preserve, Ainahou bowll at the top of Koolau Gap, base of southern pali Aspect: NE. Plants growing on vertical walls, along margins of waterfalls, spreaading spike. Wet forest: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Myrsine, Rubus, Pipturus, Hydrangea, Lobelia, Holokula, Dryopteris, Carex, Amauropelta, Diplazium, Leptecophylla, Lepisorus, Pteris, Ilex, Polysctichum, Asplenium Preserved_Specimen spreading spike. Pezzillo, Z. 895 Maui BISH 2024-08-28
45 Cyperus sandwicensis E. Maui, Kipahulu valley, Palikea Stream, Delta Camp region. Acacia- Metrosideros-Cheirodendron montane wet forest with sections of Dicranopteris fernland. W/ Rubus hawaiiensis, Perrottetia, Broussaisia, Pipturus, Cyrtandra spathulata, Kadua affinis, Machaerina angustifolia, Psychotria, Diplazium sandwichianum, Clermontia arborescens, Freycinetia, Melico Preserved_Specimen sedge, ca 30 plants on banks of stream Wood, K.R. 13734 Maui BISH 2009-05-12
46 Cyperus sandwicensis Waikolu Valley, below Puu Kaeo steep wall, wet forest Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 23439 Molokai BISH 1948-12-22
47 Cyperus sandwicensis Growing at DOFAW rare plant facility in Mokuleia. Plants grown in nursery pots. Original plants from windward side of Koolau summit overlooking Punaluu. Area dominated by Metrosideros, Macherina, Sadleria, Cibotium, Cheirodendron, Vaccinium, and other natives. Also growing with Miconia crenata, Setaria palmifolia, Rubus rosifolius, and other weeds. Preserved_Specimen Large sedge wtih spreading panicles. Thomas, M.K. 691 Oahu BISH 2024-07-16
48 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, N Waihoi Valley stream bank Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 85 Maui BISH 1972-07-13
49 Cyperus sandwicensis Kokee, SE Kalalau valley near mile 18.6 ohia, grasses, Peperomia, Dubautia; steep slope Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2249 Kauai BISH 1987-07-16
50 Cyperus sandwicensis East Maui, Waihoi Valley, S fork of Waiohonu Stream wet bank Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 42 Maui BISH 1972-06-14
51 Cyperus sandwicensis Waianae Range, Palehua Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1682 Oahu BISH 1911-04-01
52 Cyperus sandwicensis Konahuanui - Olympus Trail Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 490 Oahu BISH 1920-07-11
53 Cyperus sandwicensis Kalaupapa; Waikolu, S, stream head of valley Preserved_Specimen perennial rush Hughes, G.D. 1098 Molokai BISH 2004-11-23
54 Cyperus sandwicensis West Maui, Lahaina District, West Maui Natural Area Reserve, Lihau Section; summit Summit region on windswept cliffs overlooking Olowalu Valle. scattered, about 30 plants observed vertical slopes Vegetation: Metrosideros, Sadleria, Dicranopteris, Carex, Rhynchospora, Vaccinium, Deschampsia, Luzula, Lycopodiella, Eragrostis Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 41302 Maui BISH 2013-04-02
55 Cyperus sandwicensis Puu Konahuanui, Koolau Range exposed top Preserved_Specimen Nishimoto, M. Oahu BISH 1945-05-27
56 Cyperus sandwicensis Olowalu Valley, central peak's summit, cliff facing Wailuku Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2447 Maui BISH 1920-05-21
57 Cyperus sandwicensis Olokele Canyon Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8468 Kauai BISH 1926-07-03
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