Globe Flatsedge, Globose Flatsedge, Hedgehog Club Rush, Round Sedge, Hedgehog Globerush

Cyperus echinatus

sy-PEER-us  ek-in-AY-tus

Synonyms of Cyperus echinatus (18) (Updated on 12-20-22 from Plants of the World Online): Cyperus ovularis (Michx.) Torr., Cyperus ovularis var. americanus Boeckeler, Cyperus ovularis var. sphaericus Boeckeler, Cyperus ovularis var. wolfii (Alph.Wood) Kük., Cyperus wolfii Alph.Wood, Kyllinga ovularis Michx., Mariscus bracheilema Steud., Mariscus drummondii Steud., Mariscus echinatus (L.) Elliott, Mariscus globulosus Urb., Mariscus ovularis (Michx.) Vahl, Mariscus ovularis var. tenellus Torr., Mariscus retroflexus Willd. ex Kunth, Mariscus rivularis Walp., Mariscus sphaericus Willd. ex Kunth, Mariscus sphaerocephalus Steud., Schoenus umbellatus Jacq., Scirpus echinatus L.

Cyperus echinatus (L.) Alph.Wood is the accepted scientific name for the Globe Flatsedge. It was named and described as such by Alphonso Wood in A Class-book of Botany in 1861. It was first named and described as Scirpus echinatus by Carl von Linnaeus in the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

The genus, Cyperus L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-20-22 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 951 species in the Cyperus genus. It is a member of the plant family Cyperaceae with 92 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Cyperus echinatus is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native. POWO also shows the species being introduced to Japan. The map on the USDA Plants Database for the United States and Canada is the same. The species could have a broader range than the maps show

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

There are quite a few Cyperus echinatus growing on my farm in west-central Missouri. However, some information suggests they only grow in the southern half of the state and in the upper northeast corner. This species is easily identified by its tight globose flower clusters which no other species of Cyperus has.

Habitats mentioned online include upland prairies, sand prairies, glades, dry upland forests, pastures, disturbed sites, gravel bars, roadsides, railroads, ditches, and rocky and sandy soils.

They have 3-sided triangular stems with a reddish base. Their leaves look like grass at first glance so they may go unnoticed until they start to flower and produce fruit. The stems are 3-sided…

If you dig or pull them up you will find a culm with short, knotty rhizomes.

The above photo is borrowed from the Missouri Plants website. Missouri Planta has always been my number one source for confirming observations of wildflowers found on the farm and other areas near where I live. They have great photos and descriptions that have helped me a lot. Photos are available for non-commercial educational uses with proper citation.

The Cyperus echinatus grows up to around 3′ tall. The flowering stems are topped with 3-12 globose inflorescences with 60-110 or more spikelets that radiate from a central point. The cluster of flowers is subtended by 4-7 leaf-like bracts.

I may be weird, but I kind of like the Cyperus echinatus… Maybe because they are very easy to identify.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and other areas. My farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 100 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-WEED ID GUIDE
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
FLORA FINDER
GO BOTANY
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂

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