| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperms-Monocots
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Common Name: Sedge Family
Genera: Carex, Cyperus |
Defining Features: The family
is grass-like, but has defining features (i.e. the leaves with closed sheaths
and sharply-angled, three-edged stems) that make its morphology unique
and separate.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic, bisexual or unisexual/monoecious.
Calyx and corolla lacking or reduced to bristles or scales. Very small
and inconspicuous flowers with unique bracts subtending; one for male flowers
and two for female, the second bract of the female flower a 'perigynium'
which surrounds the pistil. Inflorescence is as a head, spike or spikelet.
Ovaries are superior with basal placentation. Fruit and Seed Features:
Monocotyledon. Fruit as an achene. Seed often triangle shaped, with a 'mealy'
endosperm. Vegetative Features: Habit as rhizomatous perennial herbs (rarely
a shrub). They are often in wet areas and with a distinctive three-sided,
solid stem. Leaves simple and linear, alternate or basal with closed sheath
or ligule.
Distribution: Worldwide in
moist or wet temperate and arctic regions.
Economic Use: Source of Egyptian
'papyrus' for paper and boats (Cyperus papyrus). Some tubers
are grown as agricultural products and some species are cultivated as large
ornamental grasses in landscaping. Some species are the source of perfumes,
straw, hay and packing material. Roots of some species are being used medicinally.
Number of Genera Globally:
104
Number of Species Globally: 4,500
