Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Common Name Umbrella Sedge Hawaiian Name Pu'uka'a Scientific Name Cyperus sp. Pictures Kalama   Whole Plant Leaves Roots Flowers Location On Campus This plant is found in both gardens by Keawe and Kalama on the KMS campus. Natural Habitat This plant is usually found by ponds or wet slopes (swamp or marsh) in Ni'ihau, Kaua'i, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Hilo, and Kona. Cultural Information  This plant is endemic to Hawai'i which means that this plant is only found in Hawai'i. When woven tightly together, it can be made into a mat which the Hawaiians used for various uses such as sitting on, sleeping on, etc. Hawaiians also used its fibers for various reasons. Plant Description Roots: Fibrous root Light, small, and thin Stem: Short and solid Leaves: Simple leaf that are channeled with "toothed" margins Green with its sheaths yellowish in color Grows long and upward Ventral side is reddish brown Flowers: Yellowish brown in color Small and unisexual Style is slender The flower is flat topped or domed shaped Fruit: Also called achenes Dark brown and are about 0.15 cm Seeds: Small and brown in color Looks somewhat tangled in a "nest" Bundled together Light and drifts easily Pollinators: Dispersed by wind Light and drift easily Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Lives at least three seasons (perennial) Are unisexual (one sex) Needs another plant of opposite sex to reproduce Propagation/ Cultivation: Clumps of the plant can be divided in the Spring Flower heads that are cut off and float upside down can form new plants Interesting facts: There are 3,000 species of sedges References Cyperus. Botany.com. 12 March. 2003 <http://www.botany.com/cyperus.html> Neal, Marie C. In Gardens of Hawaiÿi. Honlulu:Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, 1965.  Wagner, W. L.; Herbst, D.R.; Sogmer, S.H. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i and Bishop Museum Press. 1999. Return to Top

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