View source for Cyperaceae

{{Short description|Family of flowering plants known as sedges}}
{{Redirect|Sedge|other uses|Sedge (disambiguation)}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|fossil_range = {{fossil range|56|Recent|[[Eocene]] – Recent}}
|image = Pycreus.jpg
|image_caption = ''[[Cyperus polystachyos]]'' flower head 
|taxon = Cyperaceae
|authority = [[Antoine Laurent de Jussieu|Juss.]]<ref name=APGIII2009>{{Cite journal |last=Angiosperm Phylogeny Group |year=2009 |title=An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III |journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=161 |issue=2 |pages=105–121 |doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x |doi-access=free |hdl=10654/18083 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
|subdivision_ranks = Genera
|subdivision = 94, see text<ref name=powo/>
}}

The '''Cyperaceae''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|aɪ|p|ə|'|r|eɪ|s|i|.|iː|,_|-|ˌ|aɪ}}) are a family of  [[graminoid]] (grass-like), [[monocotyledon]]ous flowering plants known as [[wikt:sedge|sedges]]. The [[family (biology)|family]] is large; botanists have [[species description|described]] some 5,500 known species in about 90 [[genus|genera]]<ref name="Christenhusz-Byng2016">{{cite journal |last1=Christenhusz|first1=M. J. M. |last2=Byng|first2=J. W. |year= 2016 |title=The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase |journal=[[Phytotaxa]] |volume=261 |pages=201–217 |url=http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/download/phytotaxa.261.3.1/20598 |doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1 |issue=3 |publisher=[[Magnolia Editions|Magnolia Press]] |doi-access=free |bibcode=2016Phytx.261..201C |access-date=14 July 2016 |archive-date=29 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160729085754/http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/download/phytotaxa.261.3.1/20598 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=R. Govaerts |author2=D. A. Simpson |author3=with J. Bruhl |author4=T. Egorova |author5=P. Goetghebeur |author6=K. Wilson |year=2007 |title=Word Checklist of Cyperaceae: Sedges |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |isbn=978-1-84246-199-0}}</ref>{{snd}}the largest being the "true [[wikt:sedge|sedges]]" (genus ''[[Carex]]''),<ref>{{cite web |title=sedge family |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster]] |url=https://merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedge%20family |access-date=25 December 2013 |archive-date=26 December 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131226054432/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedge%20family |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MilneMilne1975">{{cite book |last1=Milne|first1=Lorus Johnson |last2=Milne|first2=Margery Joan Greene |title=Living plants of the world |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKXuAAAAMAAJ |year=1975 |publisher=[[Random House]] |page=301}}</ref> with over 2,000 species.<ref name="Hipp2007">{{cite journal |last1=Hipp|first1=Andrew L. |title=Nonuniform processes of chromosome evolution in sedges (Carex: Cyperaceae) |journal=[[Evolution (journal)|Evolution]] |volume=61 |issue=9 |year=2007 |pages=2175–2194 |issn=0014-3820 |doi=10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00183.x |pmid=17767589 |s2cid=19514206 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Distribution ==
[[File:Uros-floating-islands-puno-peru-aerial.jpg|thumb|[[Totora (plant)|Totora]] made artificial [[floating island]] communities of the [[Uru people]]s in [[Lake Titicaca]]]]
Cyperaceae species are widely distributed with the centers of diversity for the group occurring in [[tropic]]al [[Asia]] and tropical [[South America]]. While sedges grow in almost all environments, many thrive in [[wetlands]] or in poor soils. [[Community (ecology)|Ecological communities]] dominated by sedges are known as {{linktext|sedgeland}}s or as [[sedge meadow]]s.

== Classification ==
Some species superficially resemble the closely related [[Juncaceae |rushes]] and the more distantly related [[grass]]es. Features distinguishing members of the sedge family from grasses or rushes are stems with triangular cross-sections (with occasional exceptions, a notable example being the [[Schoenoplectus_acutus |tule]] that has a round cross-section) and leaves that are spirally arranged in three [[Phyllotaxis|ranks]]. In comparison, grasses have alternate leaves, forming two ranks.<ref name="backyardnature">{{cite web|url= http://www.backyardnature.net/fl_caryx.htm|title=Grasslike non-grasses|publisher=Backyard Nature|access-date=December 30, 2014|archive-date=5 March 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090305080339/http://www.backyardnature.net/fl_caryx.htm|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{eFloras|1|10246|Cyperaceae |volume= 23 |first1= Peter W. |last1= Ball |first2=A. A. |last2= Reznicek |first3= David F. |last3= Murray}}</ref> This difference leads to the mnemonic "sedges have edges" in order to tell them apart from generally round [[Juncaceae|rushes]] or hollow, nodded [[Poaceae|grasses]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-17 |title=Telling apart grasses, sedges, rushes {{!}} Grasses at a Glance {{!}} Illinois Extension {{!}} UIUC |url=https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/grasses-glance/2023-04-17-telling-apart-grasses-sedges-rushes |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=extension.illinois.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sedges Have Edges . . . (Grasses, Sedges & Rushes) |url=https://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek060615.html |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=www.hiltonpond.org}}</ref>

Some well-known sedges include the water chestnut (''[[Eleocharis dulcis]]'') and the papyrus sedge (''[[Cyperus papyrus]]''), from which the writing material [[papyrus]] was made. This family also includes cotton-grass (''[[Eriophorum]]''), spike-rush (''[[Eleocharis]]''), sawgrass (''[[Cladium]]''), nutsedge or nutgrass (also called chufa, ''[[Cyperus esculentus]]''/''[[Cyperus rotundus]]'', a cultivated crop and common weed), white star sedge (''[[Rhynchospora colorata]]''), and umbrella sedge (''[[Cyperus alternifolius]]''), also known as umbrella papyrus

== Features ==
Members of this family are characterised by the formation of [[daucus|dauciform]] (carrot-like) roots that are an alteration in root morphology that researchers regard as analogous to [[cluster root]]s in [[Proteaceae]], which help uptake of nutrients such as [[phosphorus]] from poor soil.<ref>
{{Cite journal |last1= Shane |first1= Michael W. |last2= Cawthray |first2= Gregory R. |last3= Cramer |first3= Michael D. |last4= Kuo |first4= John |last5= Lambers |first5= Hans |date= 2006 |title= Specialized 'dauciform' roots of Cyperaceae are structurally distinct, but functionally analogous with 'cluster' roots |url= https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2006.01574.x |journal= Plant, Cell & Environment |language=en |volume=29 |issue=10 |pages=1989–1999 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-3040.2006.01574.x |pmid= 16930324 |bibcode= 2006PCEnv..29.1989S |issn=0140-7791|url-access= subscription }}</ref> Like other members of the order Poales, sedges are mostly [[Anemophily|wind-pollinated]], but there are exceptions. ''[[Cyperus niveus]]'' and ''[[Cyperus sphaerocephalus]],'' both with accordingly more conspicuous flowers, are insect-pollinated.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wragg |first1=Peter D. |last2=Johnson |first2=Steven D. |date=September 2011 |title=Transition from wind pollination to insect pollination in sedges: experimental evidence and functional traits |url=https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03762.x |journal=New Phytologist |language=en |volume=191 |issue=4 |pages=1128–1140 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03762.x |pmid=21585389 |bibcode=2011NewPh.191.1128W |issn=0028-646X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Evolution ==
{{sectstub|date=February 2024}}
Researchers have identified sedges occurring at least as early as the [[Eocene]] epoch.<ref>
{{cite web
| url          = https://petalumawetlands.org/wetlands-life/sedges-in-our-wetlands/
| title        = Sedges in our wetlands
| last         = Shribbs
| first        = John
| year         = 2021
| publisher    = Petaluma Wetlands Alliance
| access-date  = 21 February 2024
| quote        = Fossil sedges are known from as early as the Eocene 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya) and modern sedges are very similar to ancient fossils.
}}
</ref>

==Genera==
{{As of|2024}}, 93 genera are accepted by [[Kew]]'s [[Plants of the World Online]].<ref name=powo/>

{{Columns-list|colwidth=22em|
*''[[Abildgaardia]]'' <small>Vahl</small>
*''[[Actinoschoenus]]'' <small>Benth.</small>
*''[[Actinoscirpus]]'' <small>(Ohwi) R.W.Haines & Lye</small>
*''[[Afroscirpoides]]'' <small>García-Madr. & Muasya</small>
*''[[Afrotrilepis]]'' <small>(Gilly) J.Raynal</small>
*''[[Ammothryon]]'' <small>R.L.Barrett, K.L.Wilson & J.J.Bruhl</small>
*''[[Amphiscirpus]]'' <small>Oteng-Yeb.</small>
*''[[Anthelepis]]'' <small>R.L.Barrett, K.L.Wilson & J.J.Bruhl</small>
*''[[Arthrostylis]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Becquerelia (plant)|Becquerelia]]'' <small>Brongn.</small>
*''[[Bisboeckelera]]'' <small>Kuntze</small>
*''[[Blysmus]]'' <small>Panz. ex Schult.</small>
*''[[× Bolboschoenoplectus]]'' <small>Tatanov</small>
*''[[Bolboschoenus]]'' <small>(Asch.) Palla</small>
*''[[Bulbostylis]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
*''[[Calliscirpus]]'' <small>C.N.Gilmour, J.R.Starr & Naczi</small>
*''[[Calyptrocarya]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Capeobolus]]'' <small>Browning</small>
*''[[Capitularina]]'' <small>J.Kern</small>
*''[[Carex]]'' <small>L.</small>
*''[[Carpha]]'' <small>Banks & Sol. ex R.Br.</small>
*''[[Caustis]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Cephalocarpus]]'' <small>Nees</small> (synonym ''Everardia'' <small>Ridl.</small>)
*''[[Chamaedendron]]'' <small>(Kük.) Larridon</small>
*''[[Chorizandra]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Chrysitrix]]'' <small>L.</small>
*''[[Cladium]]'' <small>P.Browne</small>
*''[[Coleochloa]]'' <small>Gilly</small>
*''[[Costularia]]'' <small>C.B.Clarke</small>
*''[[Cryptangium]]'' <small>Schrad. ex Nees</small>
*''[[Cyathochaeta]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Cyathocoma]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Cyperus]]'' <small>L.</small>
*''[[Didymiandrum]]'' {{small|Gilly}}
*''[[Diplacrum]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Diplasia]]'' <small>Pers.</small>
*''[[Dracoscirpoides]]'' <small>Muasya</small>
*''[[Dulichium (plant)|Dulichium]]'' <small>Pers.</small>
*''[[Eleocharis]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Eriophorum]]'' <small>L.</small>
*''[[Erioscirpus]]'' <small>Palla</small>
*''[[Evandra]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Exocarya]]'' <small>Benth.</small>
*''[[Exochogyne]]'' <small>C.B.Clarke</small>
*''[[Ficinia]]'' <small>Schrad.</small>
*''[[Fimbristylis]]'' <small>Vahl</small>
*''[[Fuirena]]'' <small>Rottb.</small>
*''[[Gahnia]]'' <small>J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.</small>
*''[[Gymnoschoenus]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Hellmuthia]]'' <small>Steud.</small>
*''[[Hypolytrum]]'' <small>Pers.</small>
*''[[Isolepis]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Khaosokia]]'' <small>D.A.Simpson, Chayam. & J.Parn.</small>
*''[[Koyamaea]]'' <small>W.W.Thomas & G.Davidse</small>
*''[[Krenakia]]'' <small>S.M.Costa</small>
*''[[Lagenocarpus]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Lepidosperma]]'' <small>Labill.</small>
*''[[Lepironia]]'' <small>Pers.</small>
*''[[Machaerina]]'' <small>Vahl</small>
*''[[Mapania]]'' <small>Aubl.</small>
*''[[Mesomelaena]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Microdracoides]]'' <small>Hua</small>
*''[[Morelotia]]'' <small>Gaudich.</small>
*''[[Neesenbeckia]]'' <small>Levyns</small>
*''[[Nelmesia]]'' <small>Van der Veken</small>
*''[[Netrostylis]]'' <small>R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson</small>
*''[[Oreobolus]]'' <small>R.Br.</small>
*''[[Paramapania]]'' <small>Uittien</small>
*''[[Phylloscirpus]]'' <small>C.B.Clarke</small>
*''[[Principina (plant)|Principina]]'' <small>Uittien</small>
*''[[Pseudoschoenus]]'' <small>(C.B.Clarke) Oteng-Yeb.</small>
*''[[Ptilothrix (plant)|Ptilothrix]]'' <small>K.L.Wilson</small>
*''[[Reedia (plant)|Reedia]]'' <small>F.Muell.</small>
*''[[Rhodoscirpus]]'' <small>Léveillé-Bourret, Donadío & J.R.Starr</small>
*''[[Rhynchocladium]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
*''[[Rhynchospora]]'' <small>Vahl</small>
*''[[Schoenoplectiella]]'' <small>Lye</small>
*''[[Schoenoplectus]]'' <small>(Rchb.) Palla</small>
*''[[Schoenus (plant)|Schoenus]]'' <small>L.</small>
*''[[Scirpodendron]]'' <small>Zipp. ex Kurz</small>
*''[[Scirpoides]]'' <small>Ség.</small>
*''[[Scirpus]]'' <small>Tourn. ex L.</small>
*''[[Scleria]]'' <small>P.J.Bergius</small>
*''[[Scleroschoenus]]'' <small>K.L.Wilson, J.J.Bruhl & R.L.Barrett</small>
*''[[Sumatroscirpus]]'' <small>Oteng-Yeb.</small>
*''[[Tetraria]]'' <small>P.Beauv.</small>
*''[[Trachystylis]]'' <small>S.T.Blake</small>
*''[[Trianoptiles]]'' <small>Fenzl ex Endl.</small>
*''[[Trichophorum]]'' <small>Pers.</small>
*''[[Trichoschoenus]]'' <small>J.Raynal</small>
*''[[Tricostularia]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Trilepis]]'' <small>Nees</small>
*''[[Xyroschoenus]]'' <small>Larridon</small>
*''[[Zameioscirpus]]'' <small>Dhooge & Goetgh.</small>
*''[[Zulustylis]]'' <small>Muasya</small>
}}

{{Gallery|mode=packed
|Carex demissa detail.jpeg|''[[Carex demissa]]''
|Kyllinga gracillima 08052014 (3).jpg|''[[Cyperus brevifolioides]]'' (''Kyllinga gracillima'')
|Cyperus rotundus by kadavoor.JPG|''[[Cyperus rotundus]]''
|Eriophorum latifolium1.jpg|''[[Eriophorum latifolium]]''
|Trichophorum cespitosum (Rasen-Haarbinse) IMG 2929.jpg''[[Trichophorum cespitosum]]''
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=powo>{{cite web |title=Cyperaceae |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30000197-2 |website=[[Plants of the World Online]] |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
* {{commonscat-inline}}
*[http://www.mobot.org/mobot/research/apweb/orders/poalesweb.htm#Cyperaceae Cyperaceae] at the [http://www.mobot.org/mobot/research/apweb/ ''Angiosperm Phylogeny Website'']

{{Angiosperm families}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q155843}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cyperaceae| ]]
[[Category:Poales families]]