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The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

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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.