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Cyperus meyenianus

Kunth (1837)

This name is accepted

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

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennials.

Stems: Culms tufted, 20-50 cm tall, 1-3 mm in diameter near base, trigonous, smooth, thickened at base.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Leaves numerous, herbaceous. Blades linear, as long as to slightly longer than the culm, 3-8 mm wide, flat. Veins parallel. Sheathing, sheaths reddish brown or purplish brown. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences umbelliform, open, partially compound, 5-10 cm long, 6-18 cm wide, the rays 4-12, slender, stiff, spreading, unequal, up to 10 cm long, each one terminated by a single spike or a secondary umbelliform inflorescence with up to 5 short secondary rays, spikes cylindrical to oblong, 1.5-3 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, densely bearing numerous spikelets; involucral bracts 5-10, the longer ones 3-4 times as long as the inflorescence; spikelets glaucous, bearing 4-6 glumes and 3-4 fertile flowers, spreading, or the lower ones slightly reflexed, linear-subulate, 6-10 mm long, 0.8-l mm wide, tetragonous, gradually narrowed to an acute apex, rachilla winged; glumes pale yellowish brown, glaucous, herbaceous, suberect and appressed, rather remotely spaced, but overlapping, oblong-elliptic, 3-3.7 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, prominently 4-nerved on both sides of midnerve, midnerve green, glaucous, 3-nerved, ending below glume apex or prolonged into a mucro, margins broadly white-hyaline. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 3. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Achenes brown; tightly surrounded by the subtending glume; oblong and weakly curved; 2-2.5 mm long; trigonous; sides shallowly concave; apex rounded. Seeds 1; seed coat thin; free from pericarp; embryo basal; endosperm abundant.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Naturalized in wet; disturbed sites in mesic to wet forest; especially along trails.

Elevation Range: 30–1,050 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Potentially naturalizing
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Enum. Pl. 2: 88 (1837)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1420 (K, O [as Mariscus meyenianus]); Hughes 1995:4 (Mo); Tucker 1994:87/Wagner & Herbst 1999:1900 (Syn. M. meyenianus = C. meyenianus); Oppenheimer 2003:10 (H); Oppenheimer 2006:12 (WM); Oppenheimer & Bogner 2019:22 (L); Faccenda 2023b:76 (remove L [re-IDed as C. cyperoides])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cyperus meyenianus Kokee State Park, just below Puu o Kila lookout Preserved_Specimen Plants tufted. Wagner, W.L. 5009 Kauai BISH 1983-08-28
2 Cyperus meyenianus Waianae Mts, Mount Kaala summit Trailside in wet sites. Preserved_Specimen Kawelo, K. 24 Oahu BISH 2005-11-17
3 Cyperus meyenianus Kalalau Trail, near Hanakapiai Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 3066 Kauai BISH 1989-07-14
4 Cyperus meyenianus Wahiawa Mountains, along road to Wahiawa Bog Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 593 Kauai BISH 1983-09-07
5 Cyperus meyenianus Near Kokee Ranger Station Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 1006 Kauai BISH 1922-10-28
6 Cyperus meyenianus Kokee Preserved_Specimen Meebold, A. 26362 Kauai BISH 1938-11-01
7 Cyperus meyenianus Kalalau Valley Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1984-07-18
8 Cyperus meyenianus Lihue Dist.; Hoary Head Range, NNW side of range from canefield up to Omoe Secondary vegetation dominated by Psidium, Aleurites, Rhodomyrtus, Lantana, Cordyline, Cyrtandra, Freycinetia, Hedyotis, Diplazium & Blechnum. Herb in shaded mucky gully bottom w/Pandanus, Melastoma & Psidium. Locally common. Preserved_Specimen Herb. Flynn, T.W. 4728 Kauai BISH 1991-09-19
9 Cyperus meyenianus Kokee State Park, yard of Plews cabin along unpaved road from Park headquarters towards Sugi Grove Along drainage canal Preserved_Specimen Perennial herb Plews, J.H.R. Kauai BISH 2004-09-30
10 Cyperus meyenianus Kokee. Kawai Kinana Stream just below Mohihi Road Bridge and above dam On steep shaded bank. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 1601 Kauai BISH 1986-03-11
11 Cyperus meyenianus Crest of Hanalei-Kawaihau Ridge near Kualapa, SW of the Makaleha Mountains Rare, at edge of forested areas. Growing with Paspalum conjugatum & Sacciolepis indica. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 2078 Kauai BISH 1980-07-31
12 Cyperus meyenianus W Maui, Wailuku District, near rim of gulch E of Pohakea In wet, shady area under remnant trees in an area formerly grazed & trampled by feral cattle & pigs. Preserved_Specimen Leaves dark green and glossy; plants forming clumps. Oppenheimer, H.L. 50406 Maui BISH 2004-05-14
13 Cyperus meyenianus Tantalus, along Telephone road up to radio station Very moist, sunny area Preserved_Specimen Very frequent along road Faccenda, K. 2098 Oahu BISH 2021-08-28
14 Cyperus meyenianus Hualalai (Olma Tract; Kaloka Mauka) `Ohi`a-fern mesic forest. Preserved_Specimen Engilis Jr., A. 5 Hawaii BISH 1987-08-17
15 Cyperus meyenianus Mahoe cinder cone, near Saddle Rd., South Kohala District In Dodonaea-Pennisetum setaceum scrub. Preserved_Specimen Sedge, about 8 in tall. Cuddihy, L.W. 853 Hawaii BISH 1981-08-12
16 Cyperus meyenianus Nualolo Valley, Na Pali coast Occasional sedge found near the stream. Preserved_Specimen Cuddihy, L.W. 335 Kauai BISH 1979-07-18
17 Cyperus meyenianus Waikolu Lookout. Open wet area maintained as picnic spot on ridgetop of Waikolu Valley. Preserved_Specimen Rare sedge, 50 cm tall, stems smooth, thicker at base, inflorescence umbelliform. Seen only at this site. Hughes, G.D. 27 Molokai BISH 1992-02-26
18 Cyperus meyenianus Kokee State Park, near Berry Flats Trail Shaded, wet area Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 286 Kauai BISH
19 Cyperus meyenianus NW of Kalaheo, above Alexander Reservoir & above Kanaele Swamp Common along margins of stream draining into swamp. Preserved_Specimen Henrickson, J.S. 4008 Kauai BISH 1969-07-31
20 Cyperus meyenianus Kohua ridge, Kawaia trail Wet forest. Preserved_Specimen Cranwell, L.M. 3008 Kauai BISH 1938-08-19
21 Cyperus meyenianus Hanalei Dist.; Na Pali Cliffs Trail, ca. 1 mile from its start at Kee Beach Common weed along wetter parts of trail. Assoc. w/Paspalum, Zingiber, Carex, Aleurites, Pandanus, Stachytarpheta, Oplismenus, etc. Preserved_Specimen Gustafson, R. 2444 Kauai BISH 1981-07-26
22 Cyperus meyenianus Hamakua District, Ahualoa On roadsides. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 70134 Hawaii BISH 2001-07-28
23 Cyperus meyenianus W Maui, Wailuku District, near rim of gulch E of Pohakea In wet, shady area under remnant trees in an area formerly grazed & trampled by feral cattle & pigs. Preserved_Specimen Leaves dark green and glossy; plants forming clumps. Oppenheimer, H.L. 50406 Maui BISH 2004-05-14
24 Cyperus meyenianus Haena: Between Limahuli Stream and restroom facility at Haena State Park in bulldozed area along Kuhio Highway Associated w/Eleusine indica, Anagallis, Galinsoga, etc. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 3852 Kauai BISH 1988-05-28
25 Cyperus meyenianus Wahiawa: Trail to Wahiawa Bog Muddy place on trail, wet forest. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13583 Kauai BISH 1933-12-24
26 Cyperus meyenianus Trail to Wahiawa Bog Muddy place on trail, wet forest. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13583 Kauai BISH 1933-12-24
27 Cyperus meyenianus Waianae Mountains: Makua Valley; Kaiahi Gulch. Steep face of 5th subgulch On dry ledge with Polypodium, Eupatorium, Salvia. Preserved_Specimen Obata, J.K. 76304 Oahu BISH 1976-11-07
28 Cyperus meyenianus unnamed gulch - 1st gulch E of road to puu Kolekole on E side of E Kawela Gulch Locally common in mesic forest and shrubland, on ledges and slopes in lower half of gulch. Veg: Dodonaea, Metrosideros, Diospyros, Schiedea, Silene, Lepidium, Pleomele, Bidens, Sicyos, Lipochaeta, Pouteria, Melicope, Scaevola, Ageratina, Melinis, Asplenium, Luzula, Ipomoea, Doryopteris, Pteridium, Cheopodium, Spermolepis, Lantana, Wahlenbergia. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 10910 Molokai BISH 2009-01-13
29 Cyperus meyenianus Kokee: Camp 10 Road; Garden at Plew's residence In damp places. Preserved_Specimen Weedy sedge. Plews, J.H.R. Kauai BISH 1986-10-23
30 Cyperus meyenianus Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai, Hawaii Along banks of pond in poorly-drained to very wet conditions, with Brachiaria mutica, and Commelina diffusa. Preserved_Specimen Tall sedge, inflorescence with multiple branching rays, spikelets sleak, slender. Crago, L.M. 2005157 Kauai BISH 2005-08-02
31 Cyperus meyenianus Na Pali Coast, Kalalau Valley Growing beside pool in stream in upper valley. Preserved_Specimen Sedge 2 1/2' tall. Corn, C. 308 Kauai BISH 1979-07-16
32 Cyperus meyenianus SE rim of Kalalau Valley Clay, seasonally wet roadside, locally common. Preserved_Specimen Rootstock of cedar odor; roots of purple pink color. Degener, O. 23860 Kauai BISH 1955-09-07
33 Cyperus meyenianus Mt. Kaala disturbed grassland on very gentle slope associated with Sacciolepis, Vaccinium dentatum, Verbena litoralis, Juncus, Anagallis, Cuphea, Medicago, Plantago major Preserved_Specimen Bunch, P. Oahu BISH 1991-09-18
34 Cyperus meyenianus 0.5 mile N of Hanahanapuni cone Along dirt road in semi-shade of Albizia, Melaleuca, Eucalyptus. Found in moist patches & assoc. w/Stachytarpheta, grasses. Preserved_Specimen Umbel with 10-12 rays; spikes green; fruits light brown. Ishikawa, S. 289 Kauai BISH 1973-08-21
35 Cyperus meyenianus PTBG, Lawai Valley Occasional along Lawai Stream and in wet areas. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2025 Kauai BISH 1971-07-27
36 Cyperus meyenianus Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, in overgrown pond designated as Rice Mill 4 On mucky bank of the pond. Growing with Ludwigia octovalvis, L. palustris, Commelina diffusa, Paspalum distichum. Preserved_Specimen Clumping sedge 2 ft. tall. Uncommon in the area. Imada, C. 20028 Kauai BISH 2002-07-12
37 Cyperus meyenianus Honolulu, Manoa Cliff Trail. Disturbed, wet forest. Vegetation: Psidium guajava, white ginger, Cestrum nocturnum. Preserved_Specimen Kennedy, B. 71 Oahu BISH 2018-08-09
38 Cyperus meyenianus Boundary of Lihue & Kawaihau Districts. Area called The Blue Hole or The Crater; headwaters of N fork of Wailua River, just N of Mt Kawaikini & SE of Mt Waialeale Occasional locally. Growing along stream. Occasional locally. Deep narrow valley surrounded by vertical cliffs 600-700m ht laced w. waterfalls; low undisturbed wet forest of small, stunted trees & shrubs (Metrosideros, Bobea, Perrottetia, etc.) w. ground cover of pteridophytes, Gunnera, Cyrtandra, & Cyanea. Preserved_Specimen Inflorescence greenish, forming small clumps. Lorence, D.H. 6596 Kauai BISH 1990-08-23
39 Cyperus meyenianus Waimea District: Kuia Valley which funnels into the north side of the Nahanaloa Valley, Kopiwai forest Dry Forest. Associated with Adiantum, Christella, Asplenium, Rubus, Neraudia, Boehmeria, etc. Common along bottom of seasonally wet streambed. Preserved_Specimen Gustafson, R. 3034 Kauai BISH 1984-07-21
40 Cyperus meyenianus East Maui, Haleakala National Park, Oheo Gulch, pasture road above baseyard to bridges Pasture road above baseyard to bridges. Preserved_Specimen In flower & fruit. Welton, P. 2254 Maui BISH 2008-07-02
41 Cyperus meyenianus Mohihi River Roadside weed in moist location. Preserved_Specimen Erect sedge 30-40 cm high; flowers greenish. Bryan Jr., E.H. 1436 Kauai BISH 1940-07-25
42 Cyperus meyenianus Pihea, head of Kalalau Valley In muddy place in shade of forest floor Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 3827 Kauai BISH 1967-03-29
43 Cyperus meyenianus Pihea Trail. Wet forest along trail. Growing along trail in standing water. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 6035 Kauai BISH 1988-04-09
44 Cyperus meyenianus South Hilo District, Waiakea Collected in wet forest off Stainback Highway. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Hawaii BISH 1998-10-19
45 Cyperus meyenianus Hanalei District: Limahuli Valley Secondary forest along stream in valley bottom. Dominated by Psidium, Aleurites and Schefflera with scattered Metrosideros, Pisonia and Hedyotis. Preserved_Specimen Herb. Flynn, T.W. 2318 Kauai BISH 1987-08-20
46 Cyperus meyenianus Kokee: Camp 10 Road: Garden at Plew's residence Found in damp places. Preserved_Specimen Plews, J.H.R. Kauai BISH 1986-10-23
47 Cyperus meyenianus Waimea District. Kokee, Nualolo trail, about 1 km. from trail hea. In a moist, open area. Growing with Cenchrus clandestinus. Preserved_Specimen Erect herb, less than 45 cm. tall; leafy rays below inflorescences channeled, bright yellowish-green; spikelets also yellowish green. Veoxk, K. 868 Kauai BISH 2016-07-16
48 Cyperus meyenianus Kilauea Volcano, NW rim of caldera Planted in shaded place in garden in clearing in low forest. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 47227 Hawaii BISH 1965-09-20
49 Cyperus meyenianus Poamoho. Northern Koolau mountains. Ahupuaa of Paalaa. Growing on side of trail where water collects. Substrate very muddy and full of weeds. Growing with Juncus planifolius, Cyperus polystachyos, Emilia fosbergii, Setaria palmifolia, Andropogon virginicus, Axonopus, Christella parasitica, Deparia petersenii, and others. Areas above and below trail mostly native forest dominated by Metrosideros spp., Acacia koa, Psychotria mariniana, Dicranopteris linearis, Cibotium chamissoi, Sadleria pallida, and Odontosoria chinensis. Preserved_Specimen Thomas, M.K. 728 Oahu BISH 2024-07-11
50 Cyperus meyenianus Awaawapuhi Valley Preserved_Specimen Davis, J. Kauai BISH 1984-07-17
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