![]() ![]() Because of its vigorous growth it can quickly become potbound. This plant can be potted in a container without drainage holes. Plant in moist to wet soil or cultivate in a container in order to regulate moisture levels more easily. It does best in full sun when grown as an annual in the Midwest. This is an easily grown plant but needs warm temperatures to thrive. Papyrus adds a tropical feel to sunny areas. It can be underplanted with annuals such as petunias or coleus, or used as a specimen or an accent in larger landscape beds. Because of it’s height it is best used in the middle or back of a bed or container to add drama and contrast to shorter plants. Use it as a tall, vertical accent plant with other tropical plants. This plant is well suited for medium to large water features and adds an exotic, tropical feel to a sunny corner. The fireworks-like flower heads are a bold and dramatic addition to both the garden and cut flower arrangements. Papyrus can be grown as an annual foliage plant in the ground, in large containers, or in shallow water. Papyrus can be grown as an annual in the Midwest. It grows only 2-3 feet tall, grows vigorously in or out of water, and is more shade tolerant than the species. This is variously labeled as variety ‘Dwarf Form’, ‘Nanus‘, Tutankhamun’ or King Tut®. These are often used by birds, especially the social species, as nesting sites in its native habitat.ĭwarf cultivars are well suited to container culture.Ī shorter form than the species is normally available as an ornamental. They may become so large that they bend over under their own weight as the cluster becomes almost spherical in shape. This terminal growth, subtended by papery brown bracts, resembles a feather duster at first and will eventually grow to 4-12 inches across. The mature fruits are dispersed in water after they fall from the plant. ![]() Eventually brown, nut-like fruits are produced. The nondescript, greenish-brown flowers that are produced at the ends are wind pollinated. Small, secondary umbels with 3-5 rays and narrow, elongated bracts are produced on the ends of the rays. This is a dense cluster of many bright green, shiny thread-like rays. The non-descript, greenish-brown flowers are wind pollinated.Įach straight stem is topped with an umbellate inflorescence. The thick rhizomes creep horizontally along the soil, anchored by numerous roots. These are triangular in shape and a reddish brown color. The new rhizomes and culm bases are covered by papery scales, which are actually reduced leaves. This herbaceous perennial produces just a few basal leaves and many strong, deep green, triangular (3-sided) stems (culms) from woody rhizomes. Papyrus is a vigorous grower that can grow up to 16 feet tall in its native habitat but the ornamental selections are typically a more modest 3-6 feet. Upright stems topped with airy foliage gives this species a tiered effect that is quite ornamental. The starchy rhizomes and culms are edible, both raw and cooked, and the buoyant stems were used for making small boats. In ancient times it was widely cultivated in the Nile Delta, but now is nearly extinct there. The large, dense populations often line bodies of water. It is native throughout the wetter parts of Africa, Madagascar andĮach stem is topped with feather-duster-like growth.Īround the southern Mediterranean where it occurs in vast stands in swamps, shallow lakes, and along stream banks throughout the wetter parts of Africa. papyrus, also called Egyptian reed or paper reed, is a clump-forming African species hardy in zones 9-12. Papyrus is a sedge (family Cyperaceae) – one of about 600 species in the genus Cyperus – that is probably best known as the source of ancient paper called papyrus. King Tut Grass is best grown in part shade with a good organic soil – it will make a bold statement wherever you have a suitable spot in your landscape or patio.Papyrus is a sedge that naturally grows in shallow water and wet soils. It is not winter hardy in the Kootenays and should be considered and treated as an annual. King Tut is a dwarf cultivar that typically grow to 4’ tall and has been a very popular water plant or even as a centre piece in large patio containers. In ancient Egypt, the stems of this plant (considered to be the bulrush of the Bible) were used to make a paper-like writing material also called papyrus. The most notable feature are stems topped by large umbrella shaped inflorescence (a kind of flower stem) of 100 or arching thread like ‘rays’ that can grow out to almost 1 foot long! At the end of each ‘ray’ there will be a greenish-brown flower cluster. It forms a grass-like clump of triangular green stems that rise up from thick woody rhizomes. It is a tall clump forming perennial sedge that will grow up to 15’ tall. King Tut Grass – Georama Plant of the WeekĬyperus papyrus is native to Africa. ![]()
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