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Service Notice

The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system, WAHerb, and DBCA’s flora taxonomic names application, WACensus, have been set to read-only mode since 1 October 2025. Recent taxonomic changes are not currently being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or the census. The project team is now conducting testing of the migrated data, and a further update will be provided by the end of the financial year (1 July). Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The notice period started at 9:45 am on Friday, 12 December 2025 +08:00 and will end at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 +08:00.

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Cyperus polystachyos Rottb.
Bunchy Sedge

Reference
Descr.Icon.Rar.Pl. 39 (1773)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Mixed (Native in Part of Range, Naturalised Elsewhere)
Name Status
Current

Shortly rhizomatous, perennial or annual, grass-like or herb (sedge), 0.15-0.6 m high. Fl. green-brown, Dec or Jan to Feb or Apr to Jul. White or wet black sand. In disturbed damp areas.

Grazyna Paczkowska, Descriptive Catalogue, 4 November 1993
Image

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Dampierland, Darwin Coastal, Geraldton Sandplains, Indian Tropical Islands, Jarrah Forest, Northern Kimberley, Ord Victoria Plain, Pilbara, Swan Coastal Plain, Victoria Bonaparte.
IBRA Subregions
Dandaragan Plateau, Geraldton Hills, Hamersley, Keep, Lesueur Sandplain, Mitchell, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Pindanland, Purnululu, Roebourne.
IMCRA Regions
Pilbara (nearshore).
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Ashburton, Bayswater, Broome, Canning, Chittering, Christmas Island, Gingin, Gosnells, Halls Creek, Harvey, Karratha, Kwinana, Melville, Mundaring, Murray, Northampton, Port Hedland, South Perth, Stirling, Subiaco, Swan, Three Springs, Wanneroo, West Arthur, Wyndham-East Kimberley.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Many-spike Flatsedge, Field Sedge.

General Biology. Growth form. Sedge. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Water, soil.

Additional information. Origin. Eastern Australia, cosmpolitan origin.

Suggested method of management and control. Try 1% glyphosate + Pulse®. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Germination                          
Active Growth Y Y Y Y Y Y Y     O Y Y  
Flowering Y Y Y Y Y Y Y         Y  
Fruiting Y Y Y Y Y                
Manual Removal Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  
Herbicide Treatment O O O O O O O       Y Y  

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Moore, C.B. & Moore, J.H. (2002) Herbiguide, the pesticide expert on a disk. Herbiguide, PO Box 44 Albany, Western Australia, 6330.
  • USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx - Accessed October 2009.