Cyperaceae

Cyperaceae, commonly known as the sedge family, is a large family of monocot flowering plants in the order Poales. It comprises about 5,500 species in roughly 90 genera and is distributed worldwide, with a concentration in tropical regions and wetlands. Sedges occupy a wide range of habitats from marshes and alongside streams to grasslands and forest margins, including both herbaceous perennials and annuals.

Morphology: Sedges are herbaceous plants that often form dense clumps. A distinguishing feature is their stems, typically triangular in cross-section and solid, unlike the hollow, round stems of many grasses. Leaves are arranged in three ranks with prominent leaf sheaths. The inflorescences are usually open or condensed spikelets, often containing unisexual flowers; petals and sepals are generally reduced to scales or bristles.

Flowers and fruit: Most sedge flowers are wind-pollinated and lack showy petals. Fruits are typically achenes (nutlets); in many Carex species the fruit is enclosed by a specialized bract called the perigynium, a key diagnostic feature. The family includes diverse growth forms, from creeping to erect to rhizomatous plants.

Ecology and uses: Cyperaceae species play important ecological roles in wetlands by stabilizing soils, filtering water, and providing habitat for wildlife. Economically, sedges are used for weaving and mat-making, thatching, and basketry; Cyperus papyrus is historically notable for its use in papyrus production. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals or used in soil stabilization and erosion control, and a few can be invasive outside their native ranges.