Tufted sedge to about 1.5 m tall. Stems ridged, leafless and with brown basal sheaths. Inflorescence a terminal involucre of leafy bracts; summer. Spikes 6-8 mm long, generally pale brown. [C. alternifolius L. subsp. flabelliformis (Rottb.) Kük.]
Madagascar, Reunion Island, Mauritius
It is widely naturalised in the tropics and subtropics and in Australia in South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland
Grown for the ornamental foliage as a border, pot or water plant.
Source: (2005). Cyperaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
Cyperus involucratus 'Gracilis'
A sterile dwarf form of the above growing to less than 0.5 m tall with narrow bracts.
Dwarf form.
