Cyperaceae (XIV)

The Cyperaceae are a family of herbs, which have a grass or rush-like appearance and usually grow in clumps.

Features distinguishing members of the sedge family from grasses or rushes are stems with triangular cross-sections (with occasional exceptions) and leaves that are spirally arranged in three ranks. In comparison, grasses have alternate leaves, forming two ranks. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group occurring in tropical Asia and tropical South America. While sedges may be found growing in almost all environments, many are associated with wetlands, or with poor soils.

The family includes 65 genera and 3000 species. 500 belong to the genus Carex, 400 to Cyperus and 200 to Scirpus. The rhizomes of Eleocharis tuberosa are used for starch production. Cyperus scariosus and Cyperus pertenuis from India are fragrant and used in perfumery.

The sedges are one of the largest and most difficult in northwestern Europe, due to its extensive hybrid formation.