Tiny Flatsedge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tiny Flatsedge |
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| Cyperus tenellus | |
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Cyperus
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| Species: |
tenellus
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The Tiny Flatsedge, officially known as Cyperus tenellus, is a small plant that looks a bit like grass. It belongs to a plant family called Cyperaceae, which are often known as sedges. You can find this little plant growing in damp places, especially in parts of Australia.
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Discovering the Tiny Flatsedge
What is a Sedge?
Sedges are a type of plant that often look like grasses. However, they are different! Sedges usually have solid, triangular stems, while grasses have hollow, round stems. The Tiny Flatsedge is a perfect example of a sedge. It's an annual plant, meaning it completes its whole life cycle, from seed to flower to seed, within one year.
What Does the Tiny Flatsedge Look Like?
This plant is quite small. It usually grows to be only about 2 to 12 centimeters (or about 1 to 5 inches) tall. It grows in a "tufted" way, meaning many stems grow closely together from a single base, forming a small clump.
When Does It Bloom?
In Australia, the Tiny Flatsedge produces its green-brown flowers between spring and summer. This flowering period usually lasts from August to January.
Where Does the Tiny Flatsedge Grow?
The Tiny Flatsedge is not originally from Western Australia, but it has been introduced there. This means it was brought to the area by people, rather than growing there naturally. It likes to grow in wet areas like swamps, around pools, or in other damp spots.
You can find it in several regions of Western Australia, including the Mid West, Wheatbelt, Peel, South West, and Great Southern areas. It can grow in different types of soil, such as sandy, loamy (a mix of sand, silt, and clay), or clay soils. It often grows near granite rocks. This plant is also found in other parts of southern Australia, including South Australia and New South Wales.
