Drain Flat-sedge - introduced (*Cyperus eragrostis)

Other names: Umbrella Sedge.

Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family).

Native of tropical America.

Occurrence: A widespread and common weed, usually growing in damp places e.g. in drains and gutters and near streams. It is sometimes a lawn weed and invades damp bushland areas.

Identification:

• the flowers are clustered into spherical clumps; each cluster is on a short or long stalk
• the flowers are green and dry to a straw colour
• there are long leaves (bracts) of unequal lengths radiating from the base of the flowers
• the main stalk is roundly triangular
• the plant usually grows to about 30 cm. In good conditions it may reach a metre.

In dry conditions it may die down, and re-shoot when moisture levels are higher. It is a perennial which spreads from seeds and by underground shoots.

Similar species: There are several moderately common native Cyperus species. The native species are often taller, and have brown to dark brown flowers which are often on more slender stalks