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Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense

(Crantz) Kük. (1938)

This name is accepted

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

‘uki [uki], saw grass, sawgrass

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennials with thick horizontal rhizomes.

Stems: Culm (stem) solitary, 1–3 m tall, terete (cylindrical), often bearing extra–vaginal shoots at lower nodes.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Leaves cauline. Blades thick, coriaceous, linear, flat, 60–90 cm long, 8–15 mm wide. Apex caudate, 3–sided, gradually tapering. Margins strongly serrulate–scabrous. Sheathing; sheaths loose, shorter than the internode. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences 30–90 cm long, with 5–9 corymbs, these terminal and lateral, nearly contiguous or the lower ones well-spaced, each one 4–8 cm long and as wide, the peduncle and rays flattened; bracts leafy, sheathing at base, much longer than their subtending corymb; spikelets rusty brown, congested in globose heads of 4–12, each one ovoid–ellipsoid or broadly so, ca. 4–9 mm in diameter, ca. 3 mm long, ca. 2 mm wide; glumes broadly ovate, abruptly contracted to the obtuse or subacute apex. Flowers bisexual (perfect) or staminate. Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 2. Ovary superior; stigmas 3.

Fruit: Achenes somewhat drupaceous; brown; ovoid–globose; 1.8–2 mm long; apex apiculate; base rounded. Seeds 1; seed coat thin; free from pericarp; embryo basal; endosperm abundant.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Occurring in wet sites such as marshes; seeps; along streams; and in fresh water or brackish ponds.

Elevation Range: 0–90(–640) m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

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

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 40(1): 523 (1938)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1393 (K, O, Mo, M, H [as C. jamaicense]); Hoenselaar et al. 2010/POWO 2025 (Syn. C. jamaicense = C. m. subsp. jamaicense)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kawainui Swamp, Kailua Preserved_Specimen 10 ft. tall, stems terete, internodes hollow. St.John, H. 10522 Oahu BISH 1930-05-04
2 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Culms 8-10 ft. high. Mann, H. 112 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
3 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Along railroad track between Waiakea and Olaa Mill Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 632 Hawaii BISH 1915-05-25
4 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Lower forests, Laaukahi, Koloa Preserved_Specimen Spreading canes 6-8 ft. long. St.John, H. 13452 Kauai BISH 1933-12-22
5 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kawainui Marsh, near Kailua levee Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 144 Oahu BISH 1976-07-17
6 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Wailau Valley Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13212 Molokai BISH 1933-07-03
7 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Koolau Mts., Palolo Valley, in Kaau Crater swamp, forming a nearly pure stand Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 3489 Oahu BISH 1960-05-06
8 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Wailau Valley Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13212 Molokai BISH 1933-07-03
9 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Haupu Range, right hand side of Kipu Kai Gap Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 722 Kauai BISH 1916-11-01
10 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense East Maui, Forests above Hana Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2691 Maui BISH 1920-07-05
11 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Hilo Preserved_Specimen Hitchcock, A.S. 14157 Hawaii BISH 1916-08-17
12 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Ukumehame Canyon, along stream Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 400 Maui BISH 1978-11-17
13 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Hilo-Kona Road Preserved_Specimen Meebold, A. Hawaii BISH 1932-05-01
14 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Along the Hanapepe River, near the falls Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2508 Kauai BISH 1895-07-02
15 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kauai Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. Kauai BISH
16 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kailua; edge of Kaelepulu Pond; north & west borders Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-05-30
17 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kailua; edge of Kaelepulu Pond; north & west borders Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-05-30
18 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Ewa Preserved_Specimen Young, L.R. Oahu BISH 1958-07-01
19 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kailua; edge of Kaelepulu Pond; north & west borders Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-05-30
20 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Along stream near trail beginning from Haena Beach near Kalalau Trail and hula platform Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-14
21 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kawailoa, by pond Preserved_Specimen Christ, J.H. Oahu BISH 1957-08-01
22 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Olowalu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2479 Maui BISH 1920-05-23
23 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Along the Hanapepe River, near the falls Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2508 Kauai BISH 1895-07-02
24 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Ukumehame Canyon, along stream Secondary forest dominated by Psidium, Ardisia, and Metrosideros interspersed with large areas of pastureland. In very mucky area where it dominated. Preserved_Specimen Stems to 8 ft. tall. Flynn, T.W. 2580 Maui BISH 1987-10-28
25 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Roadside near Hilo toward Olaa Rich moist ground. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2246 Hawaii BISH 1926-07-23
26 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Wailau Valley Rainy region. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8309 Molokai BISH 1928-08-03
27 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense W Maui, Iao Valley, 0.25 mi upstream of Iao State Park Growing in a large patch on a sunny slope 30 ft. above the stream. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2276 Maui BISH 1985-02-03
28 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Palolo Valley, Kaau Crater Dominant herb on north half of crater bottom; water level is at soil surface. Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 37308 Oahu BISH 1937-07-29
29 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Na Pohaku O Hauwahine, Kawai Nui Marsh, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii Growing on floating peat mat, occasionally rooted in 12 inches of water. Preserved_Specimen large clumping sedge, stiff leaves with saw-like, sharp edges, 2-3.5 m tall with large panicle-like inflorescence, with several, dense clusters of small spikelets. Crago, L.M. 2005172 Oahu BISH 2005-08-06
30 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Waiakea Ahupuaa, Reeds Bay, South Hilo. Location (NAD 83 Zone 5): X: 283843; Y:2182356 Growing in brackish waater at Reeds Bay. Growing with Thespesia populnea, Casuarina equisetifolia. Preserved_Specimen Large sedge over 2 meters tall; growing in shallow water in brackish backwater of Reeds Bay. VanDeMark, J. 70 Hawaii BISH 2024-01-21
31 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense W Maui, Iao Valley, 0.25 mi upstream of Iao State Park Growing in a large patch on a sunny slope 30 ft. above the stream. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2276 Maui BISH 1985-02-03
32 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kalalau Trail near Makena Shaded, rocky wet bank. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 27247 Kauai BISH 1960-11-25
33 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kahuku; Punahoolapa Wetland Growing in wetland. Preserved_Specimen Engilis Jr., A. 9223 Oahu BISH 1992-06-11
34 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Maunopuluo, Haena Dry, bushy, steep slope. Preserved_Specimen 8 ft. long, decumbent. St.John, H. 13896 Kauai BISH 1933-12-30
35 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Southwest of Haena, 0.5 mi in on Na Pali Coast Trail Large wedge in seepage area along pali. Preserved_Specimen Henrickson, J.S. 3988 Kauai BISH 1969-07-31
36 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kawailoa Marsh Locally common at sea level. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 27989 Oahu BISH 1962-07-16
37 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense South Hilo Distr. adjacent to Puna Distr. boundary, Panaewa Forest Reserve Occasional in sunny areas, growing with grasses, Melastoma, and Dicranopteris. Preserved_Specimen Leaves with saw-tooth edges and costa, to 5-6 ft. length. Inflorescence taller than leaves, stiff, erect. Nagata, K.M. 1652 Hawaii BISH 1978-05-27
38 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Halenanahu Marsh. Preserved_Specimen 6 ft. high. Degener, O. 2247 Kauai BISH 1926-06-12
39 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Na Pali Coast, Kalalau-Haena Trail, Waiahuakua Valley Large sedge in flower/fruit beside stream in shade. Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 841 Kauai BISH 1955-06-18
40 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense North Kona coast, Luahinewai along waters edge Large vigorous clumps 2-3 m tall with Cyperus laevigatus and Scirpus maritimus under coconut trees. Waters filled with abundant Ruppia maritima var. pacifica. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2259 Hawaii BISH 1985-01-26
41 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Halenanahu Marsh. Preserved_Specimen 6 ft. high. Degener, O. 2247 Kauai BISH 1926-06-12
42 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Na Pohaku O Hauwahine, Kawai Nui Marsh, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii Growing on floating peat mat, occasionally rooted in 12 inches of water. Preserved_Specimen large clumping sedge, stiff leaves with saw-like, sharp edges, 2-3.5 m tall with large panicle-like inflorescence, with several, dense clusters of small spikelets. Crago, L.M. 2005172 Oahu BISH 2005-08-06
43 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense East Maui, Hana District, Hana Forest Reserve, Hana Ranch lands, open ridge N of Moomoonui Stream Small gulch basin with thick Psidium cattleianum overstory, with Dicranopteris linearis, Ardisia elliptica, Hedychium coronarium, Cordyline fruticosa, Clidemia hirta, Nephrolepis multiflora, Spathodea campanulata, Metrosideros polymorpha. Preserved_Specimen Clumping sedge 7 ft tall on gulch slope. Imada, C. 200269 Maui BISH 2002-11-06
44 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense East Maui, Hana District, Hana Forest Reserve, Hana Ranch lands, open ridge N of Moomoonui Stream Small gulch basin with thick Psidium cattleianum overstory, with Dicranopteris linearis, Ardisia elliptica, Hedychium coronarium, Cordyline fruticosa, Clidemia hirta, Nephrolepis multiflora, Spathodea campanulata, Metrosideros polymorpha. Preserved_Specimen Clumping sedge 7 ft tall on gulch slope. Imada, C. 200269 Maui BISH 2002-11-06
45 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense South Hilo Distr. adjacent to Puna Distr. boundary, Panaewa Forest Reserve Occasional in sunny areas, growing with grasses, Melastoma, and Dicranopteris. Preserved_Specimen Leaves with saw-tooth edges and costa, to 5-6 ft. length. Inflorescence taller than leaves, stiff, erect. Nagata, K.M. 1652 Hawaii BISH 1978-05-27
46 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense North Kona coast, Luahinewai along waters edge Large vigorous clumps 2-3 m tall with Cyperus laevigatus and Scirpus maritimus under coconut trees. Waters filled with abundant Ruppia maritima var. pacifica. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2259 Hawaii BISH 1985-01-26
47 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Northeast of Nuuanu Pali Sunny marsh. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8312 Oahu BISH 1923-05-15
48 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Edge of Pepeopae bog In rain forest. Closed canopy Metrosideros, associated plants include Cibotium, Pelea, Vaccinium calycinum, Cheirodendron, Myrsine, and Styphelia. Ground cover of Peperomia expallescens, Viola maviensis, Astelia forbesii, Nertera and ferns. Preserved_Specimen Huge sedge about 4' tall, only one clump seen. Davis, J. 830 Molokai BISH 1982-05-27
49 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kahili Bog, Wahiawa Open bog. Preserved_Specimen Procumbent, 6 ft. long. St.John, H. 13562 Kauai BISH 1933-12-24
50 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense W Maui, Lahaina District, Ukumehame Gulch On dripping cliff 20 ft. above stream in arid region. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 12563 Maui BISH 1939-08-25
51 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Wahiawa Bog (Kanaele Swamp) Growing near edges of open bog area, but not in bog. Preserved_Specimen Sedge ca. 9 ft. tall. Herbst, D.R. 2099 Kauai BISH 1971-08-23
52 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kawailoa Marsh Locally common at sea level. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 27989 Oahu BISH 1962-07-16
53 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense North Kona coast, Luahinewai along waters edge Large vigorous clumps 2-3 m tall with Cyperus laevigatus and Scirpus maritimus under coconut trees. Waters filled with abundant Ruppia maritima var. pacifica. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2259 Hawaii BISH 1985-01-26
54 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense W Maui, Iao Valley, 0.25 mi upstream of Iao State Park Growing in a large patch on a sunny slope 30 ft. above the stream. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2276 Maui BISH 1985-02-03
55 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Koloa District, Haupu range, west of summit, near Kamaulele. Metrosideros lowland forest dominated by secondary invasive plants w/ natives of Euphorbia celastroides, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Hibiscus kokio, Artemisia australis, Eragrostis variabilis, Bidens valida, Side fallax, Santalum pyrularium, Psydrax odorata, Microlep Preserved_Specimen Sedge, 1-2 m tall, on steep slope below ridge, north facing, uncommon. Wood, K.R. 16549 Kauai BISH 2015-07-23
56 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Palolo Valley, Kaau Crater Dominant herb on north half of crater bottom; water level is at soil surface. Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 37308 Oahu BISH 1937-07-29
57 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kiholo, North Kona Growing on the ege of Luawahine Lagoon, a beautiful pool at the foot of a step aa slope with the sand sea beach on the other side. Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 702 Hawaii BISH 1923-06-06
58 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Waiakea, about 0.5 mi. inland from Leleiwi Pt Forming dense colonies in shallow fresh and brackish water ponds. Preserved_Specimen Erect sedge to 8 ft. tall. Herbst, D.R. 4083 Hawaii BISH 1974-08-15
59 Cladium mariscus subsp. jamaicense Kahuku, Punahoolapa wetland Growing in wetland. Preserved_Specimen Andersson, N.J. Oahu BISH 1852-01-01
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