Description
Cyperus teneristolon is a slender perennial sedge with delicate creeping stolons (ground covering stems) that root at the nodes and persist underground. Sedges are evergreen plants with triangular stems that generally grow in damp areas. The flowering stems (culms) are triangular in cross-section, smooth, to 50 cm high, and about 1 mm in diameter. Leaves are flat, to 45 cm high and about 1 mm wide. The flower head is more or less cylindrical to egg-shaped, very dark red to purplish-black, made up of one to several dense clusters of tiny flowers (‘spikelets’), with 3-5 leafy bracts longer than the flower head and spreading or bent downwards. The spikelets are flattened, numerous, 3-5 mm long, and contain 2-4 flowers. The fruit (a nut) is dry, contains one seed and does not split open to release the seed when on the plant.
For further information and assistance with identification of C. teneristolon contact the herbarium in your state or territory.
There is no well-established common name for this species in Australia. The name ‘Cyperus’ has been suggested but that is not practical because many species belong to that genus, including some weedy species. It has been decided to refer to the species here by its scientific name to prevent confusion.
Distribution:
So far, C. teneristolon is only naturalised near Katoomba, along one creekline.
Cyperus teneristolon is potentially a weed (like Mullumbimby couch) of lawns, flower beds and horticultural crops as well as disturbed areas in seasonally moist native bushland from south-eastern Queensland to Victoria, and possibly on the Atherton Tableland and other elevated tropical areas. It is less likely to be found in the mediterranean climate of South Australia and Western Australia.
Habit:
Herb
Key points:
- Cyperus teneristolon is an introduced, slender, perennial sedge with distinctive dark red to purplish-black dense flower heads.
- It produces plentiful seed and has extensive underground stolons and root system.
- It is potentially a weed (like Mullumbimby couch) of lawns, flower beds and horticultural crops as well as moist disturbed sites in native bushland.
- Control along the creekline near Katoomba may limit its spread.
How it spreads:
The main dispersal of C. teneristolon is likely to be by seed but it can spread over relatively short distances very effectively by its creeping stolons that root at the nodes. The stolons spread the plant by clambering across the ground and forming new populations nearby. Rhizomes sprout new growth similarly, producing detached clumps. It is also possible for the stolons and rhizomes to break off and propagate in downstream locations, making the rosk of spread even greater.
Where it grows:
The only known colonies of C. teneristolon grow in sandy, disturbed ground beside a small creek in the Blue Mountains. In its native regions in eastern Africa, it is found in often dampish, open grassland or associated with rocky outcrops, often disturbed habitats.
Flower colour:
Red, Green
Distribution map:
Impacts:
C. teneristolon is on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds, a list of 28 non-native plants that threaten biodiversity and cause other environmental damage. Although only in the early stages of establishment, these weeds have the potential to seriously degrade Australia’s ecosystems.
In New South Wales, it is colonising disturbed areas along a creekline near Katoomba (CRC 2003; Sainty & Associates 2004). It may continue to threaten native ecosystems downstream if not managed (CRC 2003).
Its potential to invade native ecosystems is not known. However, C. teneristolon has been observed breaking through special weed proof matting in a revegetation area alongside a creek line, suggesting the plant may potentially be an aggressive invader (CRC 2003).
C. teneristolon is a weed of vegetable crops in higher altitude areas of Kenya and is also in disturbed grazing lands in those areas. As it is a weed in overseas agricultural areas with climatic and environmental conditions similar to those that occur in Australia, it is seen as a potential threat to Australia’s environment and agricultural productivity.
Origin:
C. teneristolon is native to eastern Africa - from Ethiopia to southern Africa.
However, the comment by Haines & Lye (1983) that it is often in disturbed habitats suggests that it is probably introduced in parts of eastern Africa and its natural range is smaller than that. In tropical eastern Africa, it is only found at higher altitudes.
In part of its native range (Natal, South Africa), it is becoming rare ‘probably due to interference with its natural habitats’ of open, dampish places in grasslands and around rock outcrops.
History:
C. teneristolon was first recorded in February 2000 near Katoomba, where it was found growing near and through jute matting laid down for revegetation between a picnic area and the creek. It was subsequently found upstream near a rubbish tip, so seed could have been transported down the creek or it may have been a contaminant in the matting but that is considered unlikely.
