Cyperus pubens Kük.

All images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View selected images

Cyperus pubens

Jellis' farm (Lazy J Ranch
Jan 2017
Photo: Mike Bingham

Cyperus pubens

Jellis' farm (Lazy J Ranch
Jan 2017
Photo: Mike Bingham

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Mariscus pubens (Kük.) Podlech
Common names:
Frequency: Common
Status: Native
Description:
Perennial up to 68 cm tall, with swollen stem base. Culm 3-angled. Differs from C. esculentus: non weedy, does not produce globose root tubers; the culm is not sharply angled.
White-hairy leaf sheaths are characteristic
Type location:
Zimbabwe
Notes: A grass strongly associated with miombo woodland.
Red data list status:Widespread and common: Not threatened, Least concern
Derivation of specific name: pubens refers to the soft hairiness
Habitat: Miombo woodland on sandy soils; hill slopes.
Altitude range: (metres) 900 - 1300 m
Flowering time:Jan
Worldwide distribution: Regional distribution: Zambia, Zimbabwe; Tanzania
FZ divisions: N,W,C,S
Zambian distribution (Provinces): Nw,N,C,Lk,S
Growth form(s): Perennial.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Sunday 12 February 2017
Literature:

Hoenselaar, K., Verdcourt, B. & Beentje, H.J. (2010). Cyperaceae Flora of Tropical East Africa Pages 209 - 210. Illustrations on pages 226-227 (Includes a picture).

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 89. As Mariscus pubens


Other sources of information about Cyperus pubens:

Our websites:

Flora of Zimbabwe: Cyperus pubens

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Cyperus pubens
African Plant Database: Cyperus pubens
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Cyperus pubens
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Cyperus pubens
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Cyperus pubens
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Cyperus pubens
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Cyperus pubens
JSTOR Plant Science: Cyperus pubens
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Cyperus pubens
Plants of the World Online: Cyperus pubens
Tropicos: Cyperus pubens
Wikipedia: Cyperus pubens


Copyright: Mike Bingham, Annette Willemen, Nicholas Wightman, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Mark Hyde, 2011-25

Bingham, M.G., Willemen, A., Wightman, N., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. and Hyde, M.A. (2025). Flora of Zambia: Species information: Cyperus pubens.
https://www.zambiaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=110400, retrieved 5 December 2025

Site software last modified: 24 June 2025 6:53pm (GMT +2)
Terms of use