Cyperus viscidulus facts for kids

Cyperus viscidulus is a type of plant called a sedge. It belongs to the Cyperaceae family, which is a group of grass-like plants. This sedge grows naturally in the northwestern parts of Australia, specifically in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

All About Cyperus viscidulus

What it Looks Like

This plant is a perennial herb, which means it lives for many years. It has rhizomes, which are underground stems that help it spread. It looks a bit like grass and can grow from about 0.3 to 1.15 meters (about 1 to 3.8 feet) tall. It grows in clumps and produces yellow-brown flowers. You can usually see these flowers between February and August.

How it Got its Name

A botanist named Karen Louise Wilson first officially described this plant in 1980. She wrote about it in a scientific paper called Notes on some Australian species of Cyperaceae. This paper was published in a journal called Telopea. Sometimes, this plant has been called by other names, like Cyperus sporobolus var. sexflorus. People also sometimes mistake it for similar plants such as Cyperus carinatus or Cyperus sporobolus.

Where it Grows

In Western Australia, you can find Cyperus viscidulus growing along streams and creeks. It also grows around water holes in the Kimberley region. It prefers sandy soils that are often found near sandstone. This sedge also grows in the western parts of the top end of the Northern Territory.