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Accession Data:

Cyperus diffusus Vahl

  • Common Name: Dwarf Umbrella Grass
  • Family: Cyperaceae Juss.

  • Country of Origin: Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to Queensland
  • Habitat: Margins of pools & ponds

  • Description: Cyperus diffusus grows by by pools and ponds with roots submerged in water. It grows in moist to boggy soil. Its growth is better in full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It is also grown as a houseplant.3
  • Uses: The leaves are antiseptic. It is grown as an ornamental grass in gardens.3
  • Culture: It is propagated by seeds and stem cuttings.3

Accession Data:

  • Accession # 198500172
  • Source: Unknown
  • Provenance:
    • Originally in collection as Cyperus umbellatus (illeg.)
    • August 2015 - Due to age of plant in collection (pre-1985) reviewed google imagery of species common in the trade to settle on Cyperus diffusus as a likely candidate.
  • Accession Date: 12-31-1985
  • Bench: 1119 - AFR:South Tanks W
    • Currently: active - healthy
    • Qty: 1 confirmed on 02-26-2025
  • Restrictions:

    Classification:

    • Division: Magnoliophyta
    • Class: Liliopsida
    • SubClass: commelinids
    • Order: Poales
    • SubOrder:
    • Family: Cyperaceae
    • SubFamily: Cyperoideae
    • Tribe: Cypereae
    • SubTribe:

    Flowering Data:

    This accession has been observed in bloom on:
    YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
    2025
    2024
    2023
    2022
    2021
    2020
    2019
    2018
    2017
    2016
    2015
    2014
    2013
    2012
    2011
    2010
    2009
    2008
    2007
    2006

    References (internal):

    • Wind Pollination (anemophily)
    • Aquatic Plants
    • Benthophyte
    • EEB 3271 - Systematic Botany
    • EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: China South-Central / Hainan / China Southeast / Tibet / Taiwan / Assam / Bangladesh / East Himalaya / India / Nepal / Sri Lanka / Andaman Is. / Cambodia / Laos / Myanmar / Nicobar Is. / Thailand / Vietnam / Borneo / Jawa / Malaya / Maluku / Sulawesi / Sumatera / Bismarck Archipelago / New Guinea / Solomon Is. / Queensland

    References (external):

    1. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 24 August 2015.
    2. WCSP (2015. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed 24 August 2015.
    3. Rehel, S. 2013. Cyperus diffusus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. Accessed 24 August 2015.

    data regenerated on Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:39:02 -0500 [bcm v4.0]

    Images:

    No default accession image assigned

    Additional images for this accession:

    Click on thumbnails to enlarge

    Current Accessions in the Cyperaceae

    Subfamily Cyperoideae
    Tribe Cariceae

    • Carex pendula
    • Carex sylvatica

    Subfamily Cyperoideae
    Tribe Cypereae

    • Cyperus alternifolius
    • Cyperus brevifolia
    • Cyperus diffusus
    • Cyperus papyrus

    Subfamily Cyperoideae
    Tribe Eleocharideae

    • Eleocharis dulcis
    • Eleocharis sphacelata
    W/C = Wild Collected
    = indicates flowering in past 14 days
    = images available for this accession
    = map available for this accession
    = accession added within past 90 days
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