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Common Name: papyrus
Type: Rush or Sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Zone: 9 to 10
Height: 4 to 5 feet
Spread: 4 to 5 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Color: Brown, Green
Bloom Description: Greenish brown
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Wet
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Wet Soil
Uses: Rain Garden, Suitable as Annual, Water Plant
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zone 9 where is may be grown in wet, boggy soils in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade. May be grown in containers at the margins of water gardens, pools or ponds. Grows well in both standing water and in boggy soils. In the St. Louis area, these plants are tender perennials that must be brought indoors in fall before first frost for overwintering in a sunroom or greenhouse. When overwintering, set the container in a saucer filled with water, and place the container and saucer near a bright sunny window in a preferably cool (60-65 degree F) area. Plants may be grown as annuals.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Native to Africa, Cyperus papyrus, commonly called papyrus, is a tall clump-forming, tender perennial sedge that, in frost-free areas, will grow up to 15’ tall. In St. Louis gardens, stems will grow much shorter (to 5-8’ tall). It features a grass-like clump of triangular green stems that rise up from thick, woody rhizomes. Each stem is topped by an umbellate inflorescence of 100+ narrow arching thread-like rays (4-12” long). Greenish-brown flower clusters appear at the ends of the rays. Flowers give way to brown, nut-like fruits. KING TUT is a dwarf cultivar that typically grows 4-5’ tall.
Plant of Merit
This dwarf tender perennial sedge is a water-marginal that grows in a grass-like clump of leafless, triangular, green stems to 2-3 feet tall. Each stem is topped by a showy umbellate inflorescence of 100+ threadlike arching rays with terminal greenish-brown flower spikelets. This sedge is grown as an annual in rich, consistently moist soils or in standing water or in large containers. Potted plants may be overwintered indoors.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Not winter hardy to St. Louis area.
Garden Uses
Accent for water gardens, bogs or pond/stream peripheries. Patio containers/tubs.