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Cyperus papyrus

Egyptian Paperplant · Papayrus · Paper Plant · Papyrus

Family CyperaceaeGenus Cyperus

A dense stand of tall stems, each crowned with a fine green mop of threads tipped brown
The whole plantBernard DUPONT from FRANCECC BY-SA 2.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Annual, Herbaceous Perennial, Water PlantExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennial or rhizomatous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
5-8 ft1.5-2.4 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
2-4 ft0.6-1.2 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Brown/Copper, Cream/Tan, GreenExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Provinces, Caprivi Strip and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
9-12Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Frequent Standing Water, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The source of papyrus, one of the first kinds of paper, made by the ancient Egyptians. It forms tall reed beds in shallow water across African wetlands. Wikipedia: Cyperus papyrus

Two sources report two treatments between them. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 1095 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3 years from start to sowing.

0% germination.

Nothing germinated at 70.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Cyperus p. 28Public domain
Show the original text
Cyperus (Cyperaceae). C. papyrus stil! germ. 100% in 70L after 4 y of DS, but the rate stowed slightly so that germination occured in 9-18 d instead of 5-7 d. Another sample DS 3 y germ. 100% in 70L in 4-6 d and none in 70D.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Cyperus p. 28. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

Nothing germinated at 70.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Cyperus p. 36Public domain
Show the original text
Cyperus (Cyperaceae). C. papyrus germ. 100% in 5-7 d in 70L and none in 70D or 70 GA-3. Germination was the same for seeds DS 2 y.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Cyperus p. 36. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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