Click on images to enlarge
infestation in a pasture (Photo: Troy Orchard)
infestation along a waterway (Photo: Troy Orchard)
habit (Photo: Chris Gardiner)
habit (Photo: Troy Orchard)
seed-heads (Photo: Troy Orchard)
younger seed-head in flower (Photo: Troy Orchard)
seed-head subtended by several long leafy bracts (Photo: Chris Gardiner)
close-up of brownish coloured seed-head (Photo: Chris Gardiner)
Scientific Name
Cyperus aromaticus (Ridl.) Mattf. & Kukenthal
Synonyms
Kyllinga aromatica Ridl.Kyllinga polyphylla Willd. ex Kunth.
Family
Cyperaceae
Common Names
Navua sedge
Origin
This species is native to sub-Saharan Africa (i.e. Somalia, Tanzania, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Angola and South Africa), Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles.
Naturalised Distribution
Naturalised in northern Queensland and also on Christmas Island. In northern Queensland it is present in the Mossman district, southwards to about 20 km south of Ingham in the Hinhinbrook Shire, and west to Kuranda.
It has also become naturalised in south-east Asia (i.e. Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore) and on several Pacific Islands (i.e. Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu).
Notes
This species is regarded as a very serious weed of pastures in the higher rainfall areas of northern Australia. It usually grows in full sunshine and is generally found in wetter pastures (including improved pastures), in drains, along roadsides, in gardens and in plantation crops. However, it is also thought to pose a significant threat to natural wetlands and waterways (i.e. riparian zones) in northern Australia.