Cyperus longus
Cyperus longus is a species of sedge known by the common names of sweet cyperus and water rush in Africa, or in Britain galingale.
Description
It is a tall plant, growing up to in height, with creeping rhizomes and erect, triangular stems, each terminating in an inflorescence. The species grows in shallow water or on damp ground, such as at pond edges.The holotype was collected in Italy.
Distribution
It is a widespread species found across Africa, southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent and western Asia. It incidentally occurs in Wallonia as a native. It is also found in western France, south Wales and southern England, where it may or not originally be native. It has recently spread northwards to Flanders and the Netherlands where it occurs in scattered adventive populations. It has also been introduced to Tristan da Cunha and Western Australia.Subspecies
Cyperus longus L. subsp. longus - the typical subspecies. Loose inflorescence with numerous elongated rays, very uneven, the most elongated bearing inflorescences with rays extending far beyond the median cluster. Spikelets 4-25 mm. Glumes usually red, with a well-developed hyaline margin.Cyperus longus subsp. badius Bonnier & Layens - Inflorescence tighter, with few short rays, less uneven, heads often quite compact. Spikelets 4–12 mm. Glumes usually somewhat brownish with no or poorly developed hyaline margin, with a similar distribution.