Piripiri, Mexican Papyrus
Cyperus giganteus

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Cyperus giganteus is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Tropical moist forest, premontane wet forest and tropical wet forest; often forming extensive and dense colonies in open swamps near the coast in Panama.

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The rhizome is grated and used in an infusion to treat severe menstrual pains, especially during menstruation, by easing the menstrual flow.

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: The plant can be grown in water systems as a water purifier in pollution control. Other Uses Fibres fron the plant are used for matting and also for making ordinary and high quality translucent paper. The fibre is said to be of high quality, similar to linen (Linum usitatissimum) and rami (Boehmeria nivea). The plant is said to deserve an important place in the paper industry. Mexican papyurs is a great plant for a background or screening area in the pond. It can also be planted as a single plant in a water feature to add a more tropical look to an area.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

This species is mostly aquatic, growing in still or slow running water up to 0.5 m deep.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chlorocyperus giganteus (Vahl) Palla Cyperus berteroi Kunth Cyperus conspicuus Steud. Cyperus densiflorus Rchb. ex Kunth Cyperus elatus Griseb. Cyperus princeps Kunth Papyrus elegans Schrad. ex Nees Papyrus giganteus (Vahl) Schrad. ex Nees Papyrus odoratus Willd. ex Nees Papyrus spectabilis Schrad. ex Nees