Cyperus grayoides

Cyperus grayoides is a species of sedge known as Illinois flatsedge and Mohlenbrock's umbrella sedge. It is endemic to the United States, where its distribution extends from Illinois through Missouri and Arkansas to Texas and Louisiana.[1][2]

Mohlenbrock's umbrella sedge

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Cyperus
Species:
C. grayoides
Binomial name
Cyperus grayoides

This perennial herb grows from a network of tuberous rhizomes, producing clumps of triangular stems up to 35[3] to 48 centimeters tall.[1] The gray-green[1] leaves are up to 25 centimeters long.[3] The inflorescence is a cluster of several rounded spikes containing many spikelets.[1]

This plant grows in sandy habitat such as dunes and sandy prairies. It can occasionally be seen on roadsides.[1] It is adapted to the periodic disturbance which occurs due to wind and erosion in habitat such as dunes.[2]

This plant is often common where it occurs. However, its habitat is threatened by development and degradation. The loss of a normal fire regime is a threat because it is an important vector of natural disturbance that the plant relies on. Grazing and sand mining are also threats.[2]

References
  1. Cyperus grayoides. Archived 2011-10-26 at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.
  2. Cyperus grayoides. The Nature Conservancy.
  3. Cyperus grayoides. Flora of North America.
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