Papyrus
| Cyperus papyrus {{{latin_name}}}
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Papyrus
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| Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture |
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Papyrus (an ancient name, coming through the Greek, and from which comes indirectly the word paper). Cyperaceae. A group of aquatic or subaquatic very ornamental plants, now considered to represent one polymorphous species; by modern authors they are placed in the genus Cyperus. The paper-reed, Cyperus Papyrus. (Papyrus antiquôrum, Link.P. sîcula, Parl. Cypèrussyriacus, Parl.), is of the Nile region and widespread in tropical Africa, also of Sicily. It is a glabrous perennial with a woody rhizome, reaching 10-15 ft. in height in favorable regions, the tall stems solitary or very few from each root and varying from nearly terete to acutely 3-angled: leaves all radical (only sheaths produced on the flowering culm), long and sedge-like: umbel compound on the top of the high culm, the primary rays many and 6-20 in. long, drooping; spikelets 1 x 1 1/2 in., with many spreading spikelets; wings of rachilla lanceolate, yellow, falling early with the glumes; stamens 3, the anthers joined by a crested connective: nut or fruit ellipsoidal, 3-cornered, gray. Var. antiquorun, Clarke (P. antiquorum, Willd. P. mossambicensis, Parl. Cyperus Papyrus., in part), has spikelets more or less deciduous above the 2 lowest or empty glumes, the wings of the rachilla obtuse and tardily falling, the connective not crested. This variety occurs in tropic. and N. Africa and in Palestine. The papyrus is popular about large tanks or aquaria in greenhouses, and is often bedded out about ponds in summer. Far South it may stand in the open. It is much used in California for adornment of lawns, doing well even with a moderate supply of water. The fluffy heads make attractive house decoration. The papyri of the ancient Egyptians were made of strips taken from the culm or stem, from base to apex, between the cortex and the core. being laid side by side and beaten and pressed together to form a continuous surface. The paper-reed is known best to horticulture as a tender decorative plant, almost solely as an aquatic. It stands by itself, unequaled and unrivaled as such. It has tall dark green stems 10 or more feet high, depending on mode of culture, surmounted with an umbel of threadlike leaves or filaments, subdivided, and forming a most graceful and ornamental object. It is at home on the margin of a natural pond, or it may be planted in a tub or box of rich soil and placed in the artificial pond, but should be only slightly submerged. The plant should not be subjected to a spray from a fountain jet, as the weight of water will bend and break the stems. They may also be planted in groups similar to cannas, but should receive copious supplies of water, otherwise they will be dwarf and stunted. Propagation is effected by seed. Sow and treat seedlings similar to Cyperus alternifolius, the common umbrella plant. Sow in early autumn or spring; seedlings will make good plants the same season. Winter the medium-sized plants in a cool greenhouse with all light and air possible, else the plants become drawn and weak and crippled with aphis. Large plants may be divided in spring. CH
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References
- Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
