Cyperus alternifolius
Cyperus alternifolius
The umbrella papyrus, umbrella sedge or umbrella palm (Cyperus alternifolius L.) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Cyperaceae family.
Systematics –
Domain Eukaryota,
Kingdom Plantae,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Liliopsida,
Order Cyperales,
Family Cyperaceae,
Genus Cyperus,
Species C. alternifolius.
Synonyms include:
– Cyperus alternifolius Baker;
– Cyperus alternoifolus L.;
– Cyperus frondosus Salisb.;
– Cyperus racemosus Poir.;
– Eucyperus alternifolius (L.) Rikli.
The following subspecies are recognized within this species:
– Cyperus alternifolius subsp. alternifolius;
– Cyperus alternifolius subsp. flabelliformis Kük.;
– Cyperus alternifolius subsp. textilis (Thunb.) Verloove.
Etymology –
The term Cyperus derives from the Greek cýpeiros (κύπειρος), meaning “cyperus” or “papyrus.”
The specific epithet alternifolius is composed of the Latin terms alternus (“alternate”) and folium (“leaf”), indicating the alternate arrangement of the leaves.
This generic name, already used by the ancient Greeks with the word cýpeiros (κύπειρος), refers to types of rushes and marsh plants. The term has been applied to many species in the Cyperaceae family, including Egyptian papyrus (Cyperus papyrus), from which the plant derives its common name, “false papyrus.”
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Cyperus alternifolius is native to West Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula, but is widely distributed throughout the world. The plant has also long been naturalized in the Mediterranean, parts of tropical Asia, and the Americas.
Its natural habitat is swamps, humid grasslands, and along watercourses, and in heavy, muddy soils, both near natural bodies of water and submerged in water to a depth of about 15–20 cm.
In cultivation, it thrives in ponds, water gardens, or as a houseplant, provided its roots are always kept submerged.
Description –
Cyperus alternifolius is a tufted perennial plant, 50 to 150 (200) cm tall. It has a rather short, horizontal rhizome.
The stems, 4–7 mm in diameter, are triangular, smooth or finely rough.
Each stem is crowned by an umbel of 10–25 bracts shaped like oblong-lanceolate leaves with a leathery texture, arranged in a radial pattern, like the veins of an open umbrella.
The inflorescence is a spikelet composed of a central axis (rachilla) with tightly intertwined spiral bracts (glumes).
Each spikelet bears a small, pale green flower.
Cultivation –
Cyperus alternifolius is a plant collected in the wild for local use as a food, medicine, and source of raw materials. It is grown as an ornamental plant in many parts of the world, prized especially for its leafless stems, topped with leaf-like bracts around the inflorescence.
The plant can survive and thrive in partial shade, but to ensure proper growth, it is best placed in a bright spot (even sunny). Avoid overly windy areas, which could break the stems.
The substrate must be kept very moist, with daily watering in the summer, depending on the ambient temperatures to which it is subjected. If grown in a pot, and if the pot is not waterproof, a little water should always be kept in the saucer. Being a marsh plant, it can also be grown in hydroponics or placed in aquariums or terrariums, which must be uncovered.
It also consumes considerable water: the plant can help increase humidity in indoor environments.
It is propagated by cuttings very simply: a stem removed from the plant is shortened to a length of 10–20 cm. This is then turned upside down and immersed in a container of water, taking care to also halve the length of the foliage. Roots and then shoots will grow from the leaf base. Later, the whole thing can be planted in soil. It is also possible to place the stem in water to root without turning it upside down; it must be short enough so that the leaf base is covered by water; in this case, there is no need to shorten the leaves. This method has the advantage that the cutting can use the leaves for photosynthesis, because they do not dry out until the plant has grown.
Uses and Traditions –
Cyperus alternifolius is a plant native to most of sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia, used for both edible and ornamental purposes, as well as for other purposes.
The plant (part unspecified) is dried and burned. An ash solution is used to cook the leaves of other vegetables.
The rhizomes are a source of potassium.
We have no specific information on this species, but it is said that the inner base of the young stems of all species of this genus can be eaten raw and constitutes an excellent survival food in times of need.
Medicinally, the rhizome is given to children as a remedy for stomach ache.
The plant (part unspecified) is used as a treatment for malarial fever.
The dried ash of the plant is applied to fresh wounds as a disinfectant.
The dried plant is reduced to ash, which is then soaked in water and the solids are strained off. The water is then evaporated, and the residual salt is applied to fresh wounds as a disinfectant.
Among other uses, the stems and leaves are used in weaving to make mats, baskets, fans, and brushes.
From an ecological perspective, the plant is classified as “least concern” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2013).
Preparation Method –
There are no known human uses for food; the plant is primarily ornamental.
Some varieties of Cyperus (other than C. alternifolius) produce edible tubers, such as Cyperus esculentus, used in chufa milk or orxata.
According to a general source on “Cyperus,” the roots can be used as a source of nutrients and for food applications; however, there is no specific confirmation for C. alternifolius.
In the medicinal field, experimental studies on methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of C. alternifolius (aerial part and rhizomes) have shown significant antiulcer activity, even more effective than ranitidine in rat models.
Alcoholic (ethanolic) extracts of the aerial part have shown a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
The essential oil of the flowers has shown strong antioxidant activity in DPPH assays.
Leaf and root extracts have demonstrated antimicrobial (against Staphylococcus aureus, E. faecalis) and antioxidant activity.
In the ecological field, C. alternifolius is effective in phytoremediation, i.e., the removal of pollutants: it can extract heavy metals (Cr and Ni) from contaminated water.
It is effective in the treatment of urban wastewater.
The aerial parts of this plant are harvested, dried in the shade, powdered, and extracted with ethanol (90%). Subsequent extracts (e.g., ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate) are concentrated and tested for biological activity.
In popular use (not scientifically confirmed but reported), in some areas of Africa, the ash of the plant is used to treat wounds; decoctions are used for fever or gastric disorders.
In Brazil, the dried leaf is used to prepare teas and herbal remedies with potential antiulcer activity.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (eds.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and Experiences with Medicinal Herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/471844037/original.jpg
– https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Flore_des_serres_v14_233a.jpg
Warning: The pharmaceutical applications and dietary uses are provided for informational purposes only and do not in any way constitute medical prescriptions. We therefore decline any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic, or nutritional purposes.