papyrus, or papyrus. Cyperus: main species, growing conditions, reproduction On which continent does the papyrus plant grow

cyperus papyrus

The ancient Greeks called the common sedge cyperus. Now the genus Cyperus (Cyperus) from the sedge family (Suregaseae) includes more than 30 species of annual and perennial grasses. Cyperus grows in places with high humidity - mainly along the banks of rivers and lakes. Due to the characteristic rosettes of leaves that crown the long stems of cyperus, in England this plant is called "umbrella plant" - "umbrella plant". Its thin apical stems surprisingly resemble the metal spokes of an umbrella. For its predilection for a humid habitat, cyperus also earned the nickname "marsh palm", somewhat resembling the outline of a real palm tree with a long bare stem and narrow ribbon-like leaves at the top.

The most famous member of the genus is cyperus papyrus(C. papyrus). Translated from the Egyptian word "papyrus" means "gift of the river." That was the name of the plant, which many centuries ago formed impenetrable thickets on the swampy banks of the great Nile. Later, it was grown in culture near Memphis, Thebes and other cities. It is also known that ancient Egyptian scrolls with writings were called papyrus. Beautiful hymns dedicated to the sun god Ra and edifying tales about the travels of the immortal soul, about the judgment of the gods and the law of justice have come down to us through the millennia on crispy yellow scrolls.

Currently, cyperus papyrus is found only in the upper reaches of the Nile, on Lake Chad and in the Niger and Congo basins. In places where papyrus grows, the banks seem to be a solid dark green wall 6–7 m high. This living barrier is formed by straight trihedral stems as thick as a child's arm. With high humidity and high temperatures, cyperus grows very quickly, stretching in height under the scorching Egyptian sun and giving up to 60 root offspring. Inside, the stems have a special air system, specific to many marsh and aquatic plants, as well as large intercellular spaces filled with air. Even when green, freshly cut papyrus is very light and does not sink in water. From the very top of such bare tall stems, a thick bunch of long and narrow foliage hangs radially to the sides. Despite its apparent elegance, these green thin ribbons are quite tough and can withstand the winds that bring desert heat to the swaying coastal thickets. Interestingly, if the top of the stem leans strongly towards the water or breaks, very soon whitish root rudiments and bright green shoots appear from the dormant buds of the inverted "umbrella", giving rise to a new plant. After the parent stem rots and falls off, the young cyperus takes root and begins to quickly stretch upwards.

At the time of flowering, among the green foliage, one can notice higher inflorescences in the form of loose, complex spikelets of a grayish color, in which small nondescript flowers are covered with scales. Papyrus flowers have a characteristic structure for all sedges, having three stamens and one trifid pistil. The fruits of all cyperus are medium-sized and are similar to monocot grains of cereals.

A very interesting structure is the root system of papyrus, which partially floats in the water, like an outlandish underwater forest of twisted white stems. Part of the roots and a thick woody rhizome take root on marshy shores, strengthening them and helping to retain silt. The Egyptians have long eaten papyrus rhizomes raw and toasted. They are fragrant and nutritious, and taste like almonds. These rhizomes were also the main food of hippopotamuses, who, together with the disappearance of papyrus in the lower reaches of the Nile, moved upstream.

Using the natural buoyancy of this plant, the Egyptians tied the stems of cyperus with twine and made light double boats out of them, very maneuverable and stable on the water. In them, fishermen and hunters went out to fish, sailing along the Nile and catching fish and poultry. In addition, the builders of the pyramids transported millions of tons of stone blocks on rafts, also woven from this "wild straw". It seems incredible that these fragile little boats could withstand such monstrous loads and trials.

In 1969, the famous Norwegian scientist and traveler Thor Heyerdahl decided to prove with his own eyes the possibility of the penetration of the Egyptian civilization into South America, using a unique vessel made of papyrus as a floating craft. The "paper ship" was made from the papyrus of Lake Tana, located at the source of the Blue Nile. 12 tons (150 cubic meters) of cyperus stems 5–6 m long and 3–4 cm in diameter were delivered to the Cheops pyramid. Three African masters from the shores of Lake Chad and two Egyptians wove a unique wonderful ship from the stems, which was ready on April 29, 1969. It was given the name "Ra" - in honor of the supreme god of the Sun. Its length was 17 m, width - 5.2 m. In front of the ship with a curved bow and stern there was a sail on a double mast, and there were only two oars near the stern. Water does not penetrate into the middle of the stems due to the dense shell, and their core is light and porous, like a sponge that does not sink in water. Even if there are holes in the bottom, the ship will not sink.

As in ancient times, a whole kilometer of the ship was dragged on a sleigh, and on March 14, seven brave men sailed from the Moroccan port of Safi into the Atlantic Ocean. Favorable currents carried a light ship at a speed of 100 km per day. Usually in this area the ocean is calm, but "Ra" was prepared for severe trials. Only five days of the eight weeks of the journey were quiet, the rest of the time there were torrential rains and huge waves seven meters high flew aboard. The elements broke the oars, sail and mast, and the ship began to gradually list on its side. The crew was forced to transfer to the Shenandou yacht, which came out to meet him. However, Heyerdahl's bold plan could be called implemented. The "paper ship" traveled 2,700 miles, fighting the waves, and proved that Egyptian navigators could cross the Atlantic Ocean 5,000 years ago.

In 1970, a restless Norwegian decided to repeat his journey on a papyrus ship called "Ra-2", which was custom-made by the inhabitants of a small town in Morocco. This time, the ship was not made from sheaves of papyrus, but from its individual stems, which were carefully intertwined in the form of two cigar-like floats. For 57 days of sailing, the crew of the Ra-2, which was light on the move and obeyed even one oar, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, reaching the shores of America. And the legendary cyperus papyrus once again proved its incredible floating properties.

With flexible long stems of young plants, the ancient Egyptians caulked large ships, they also wove mats and baskets. Sandals were made from the thin green bark of large cyperus, and fabrics were made from fiber, which were valued more than linen. But the main thing is that paper, known as papyrus, was made from this wonderful plant. The core was removed from the cut stems, divided into thin long strips. The raw materials prepared in this way were laid out in close rows on a smooth board and moistened with water. The second row was laid on the first row, but already across, and then scraped, smoothed, laid under a press and dried in the hot sun. Others were glued to the resulting strip. And in order to keep the ink better, the papyrus was dipped into a special paste and dried again. As a result of such painstaking and long work, a dense, slightly yellowish papyrus was obtained, which saved the thoughts and feelings of people who lived many centuries ago in secret writings.

That is why the synonymous Latin name of this plant was "Papyrus antyquorum" - "ancient papyrus". In Russian literature, the genus cyperus is sometimes called "sitovnik", and cyperus papyrus is "real papyrus".

Many species of the genus Cyperus can be grown as houseplants, reaching a meter height. The main components of success are bright light and high humidity. Indoor papyrus will do well if a voluminous pot with expanded clay drainage is constantly kept on a shallow tray filled with lukewarm water, so that the compost will always be moist. Cyperus can also be grown in a palludarium or aquarium as aquatic plants, but should be repotted in pots filled with peat soil for the winter. When the soil dries out, the "umbrellas" quickly turn yellow. Cyperus can be propagated by dividing the rhizome during transplantation, vegetatively by lowering the cut "umbrella" into the water, as well as by seeds.

cyperus papyrus a plant known since ancient times, will certainly interest lovers. The article provides a description of the cyperus papyrus plant, gives advice on its cultivation and transplantation.

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cyperus papyrus

cyperus papyrus

Papyrus was the first plant in the history of the world that was widely used in ancient Egypt to record various information.

The technology for making papyrus paper is quite simple: the stems are cut into long strips, one layer is laid across the board, the other along, and a press is placed on top.

Carbohydrates and starchy substances of the plant act as glue that connects the strips. After drying, a papyrus leaf is obtained.

In nature, cyperus papyrus (C. papyrus) from the sedge family, or Sitnikovye (Cyperaceae).

Often it creates dense thickets and reaches 2.5-3 m in height. Threadlike, umbrella-like leaves grow on triangular stems.

In room conditions, papyrus needs a warm (+ 20-25 degrees) place. In winter, the temperature should not fall below +16 degrees.

Growing conditions

One of the main factors for the successful cultivation of this plant is lighting. It should be maximum, in summer the cyperus loves to soak up the sun.

With a lack of light, the umbrellas will not be so lush, the trunks will be weak, bending, the plant will lose its decorative appearance.

Cyperus papyrus indoor

Papyrus grows very quickly, so it requires frequent transplants. The container should be spacious and the soil fertile.

It is better to choose a pallet with a high side, and in the summer there should be water all the time.

In the winter months, water is not poured into the pan, but care must be taken that the soil always remains well moistened and does not dry out.

Feed regularly, using an ornamental or all-purpose fertilizer, preferably organic.

Plant propagation

Cyperus papyrus is propagated by dividing the rhizome. A well-grown plant is taken out of the pot and cut in half or into several parts (depending on the size of the curtain). Doing so with division into parts.

It is believed that this is the only way to propagate papyrus. But it can also be found just an umbrella of leaves with a section of the stem.

You can do with it, as with the more common types of cyperus - shorten the leaves a little and put the stem in the water, “cap” down, leaving a glass of water in a bright place.

Already on the third day, you can find several small white roots that grow very quickly. When 4-5 cm is reached, it is necessary to cut off almost all the leaves and plant cyperus papyrus c, moisturizing it abundantly.

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The ancestors of this plant were of great importance for people, they carried knowledge. And this is impressive, although among others it does not stand out with anything special. This amazing legendary plant is a swamp papyrus, related to our common sedge.

What does the papyrus plant look like, what are the features of caring for it? What is its history and significance in people's lives? You can learn about all this by reading this article.

general information

This plant greatly influenced the development of the entire civilization. It was used to make writing material. What can a person who hears the word "papyrus" imagine? Egypt - hot sands of the desert, camel caravans, pyramids, sphinxes, pharaohs, hard workers-Egyptians and many others. etc. And among all this is the image of a clerk, writing something under the dictation of his master. All this is Ancient Egypt.

The word papu, meaning "royal", is of ancient Egyptian origin. It was from him that the ancient Greek papyrus was formed, which is the name of the well-known material for writing (papyrus).

The birthplace of the plant is Egypt. There it was considered royal.

A bit about ancient writing material

Papyrus (plant) brought great benefits. Pictures and writings made on such material entered the history of Egypt and became exhibits in many museums around the world.

The word "paper" also owes its origin to papyrus. In German, paper is papier, in French it is papier, and in English it is paper. Carl Linnaeus used the Latinized version of this word as the name of this plant - papyros.

The oldest of all known papyri manuscripts date back to the beginning of the third millennium BC.

Papyrus (plant): photo, description

Papyrus is a perennial herbaceous plant mainly found in Africa. There are other names for this plant - paper reed, papyrus sedge.

Mistakenly, sometimes papyrus can be called satisfactorily alternate. This is a common greenhouse or ornamental houseplant.

A dwarf relative of papyrus, reaching a height of one meter, is Cyperus nanus or Cyperus profiler.

Natural papyrus is a huge plant (up to 5 meters high, up to 7 cm in diameter) with practically leafless shoots. Its triangular-shaped stems grow from a thick, woody rhizome, with brown, scaly, underdeveloped leaves at the base of each stem. At the end of the stem is a large inflorescence in the form of an umbrella, which in a young plant has the shape of a feather panicle for brushing dust from furniture.

The bundle at the end of the branch has bright green stems up to 30 centimeters long. Each of them branches into 3-5 rays of the 2nd order, equipped with drooping narrow covering leaves. At their top are green-brown spikes up to 2 centimeters long. Papyrus bloom usually occurs in late summer. Brown fruits are very similar to nuts.

Pollination of papyrus, like most sedges, occurs with the help of the wind, not insects. Ripe fruits spread through the water.

The inflorescences of this amazing plant serve as an excellent nesting place for birds of various species.

Where does the papyrus plant grow in nature?

The geographical distribution of the plant is the most diverse. These are subtropical and humid forests with annual temperature ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and hydrogen content in the range of 6.0-8.5 pH. For successful flowering, good sunlight is a favorable factor. Papyrus, like many tropical plants, is very sensitive to cold.

Large thickets of this plant are mainly found in wetlands, on shallow lakes and along the banks of the rivers of the most humid areas of Africa. Today, papyrus is found less and less frequently in the Nile Delta. In deeper waters, it is the main component of the huge masses of floating plants called Sudd.

This plant can be found in the Mediterranean regions (Levant and Sicily), and in Madagascar.

About the papyrus ornamental plant

Cyperus (papyrus) is an indoor plant, moisture-loving, similar to both a small palm tree and an umbrella. It, unlike its naturally growing relatives, can feel good even in the shady part of the room, among other house flowers or in interior ponds.

On the grassy stem of the plant there are nodes, from where narrowish leaves grow, forming an umbrella.

Known cyperus grown at home, only a few species. Umbrella grows up to one and a half meters. It has very narrow long linear leaves (length 24 cm). These cyperus are also found with leaves that have a white stripe. Panicles of yellow inflorescences emerge from their axils.

The shortest member of the family is sprawling cyperus with stems up to 90 centimeters high and with many leaves up to 30 cm long. This is the most common species among home gardeners.

Care

Cyperus (papyrus) is a plant that is quite unpretentious in cultivation. At the same time, it still acquires a special decorative effect in a room that is lighter and protected from direct sunlight during the hot season. This plant does not like heat at all. The optimum temperature for it in summer is 20-22˚С, in winter - at least 12˚С.

You need to water the cyperus through the pan, since the roots should always have access to moisture. For him, humidity is also of great importance, so you should spray its leaves more often. Feed the plant with complex fertilizer in summer and spring twice a month.

For appearance, it comes down to removing dried and yellowed leaves. You can repot the plant throughout the year, as it grows, when the roots become very crowded.

The basis of the substrate should be peat land, and the drainage layer should occupy at least a quarter of the pot. In connection with the latter condition, the pot for this plant needs a deep and not very wide one. To reduce evaporation from above, the soil should be covered with a small layer of sand.

Conclusion

Papyrus (plant) went down in history mainly as a raw material for the manufacture of fine writing material. Many libraries and museums around the world keep the oldest papyri. In Cairo there is a museum in which the exhibit is one of the oldest papyrus scrolls. The British Museum has an artifact from an Egyptian tomb - a papyrus calendar. He is 3000 years old. Thanks to these amazing finds, papyrologists continue to reveal new secrets of the life of the entire ancient world and Ancient Egypt.

As for indoor cyperus, it is known to help people with persistent headaches and insomnia. In addition, this plant should be kept in the house for people who are insecure, indecisive and aggressive. Cyperus will help to normalize the situation.

CYPERUS(Cyperus), or Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus L.) is a large genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the sedge family (Suregaseae). It is also known as Syt and Sitovnik, translated from Egyptian means "gift of the river". In Britain, cyperus is called "Umbrella Plant" - "umbrella plant".

In modern homes, air humidity is much lower than normal - almost like in the desert. And here a unique plant can come to the rescue, capable of turning the desert into an oasis - CYPERUS. He himself loves moisture very much, so the pot with him is placed in a pan with water. It is good to have such pallets with any moisture-loving plants in all rooms - they have a great effect on the state of the air.

In room conditions, several types of cyperus are mainly grown: alternate, papyrus, sprawling, white-striped. The most common is the alternate leaf cyperus (Cyperus alternifolius L.) from the island of Madagascar. It was brought to Europe in the 18th century. This plant is up to 1.7 m high. The stems are trihedral or round in section, the leaves are up to 25 cm long, about 1 cm wide. Cyperus has flowers collected in brown spikelet inflorescences and compressed from the sides. In culture, two of its forms are known: with white stripes on the leaves and dwarf cyperus, 30 - 50 cm high.

Homeland: tropics and subtropics. Widespread in swampy places and reservoirs. Cyperus grows on the swampy banks of the Nile, in tropical Central Africa. In places where papyrus grows, the banks of the river form dark green walls 3 and even 5 meters high, stretching continuously. Cyperus has a thread-like leaf shape that gives the plant an exotic look.

The roots of papyrus are also interesting, which partly float in the water, like an underwater wavering forest of white stems. Papyrus rhizomes, which taste like almonds, are fragrant and nutritious. The Egyptians ate them raw and fried. In addition, rhizomes are the main food of hippos, which, along with the disappearance of papyrus in the lower reaches of the Nile, moved to its upper reaches.

Papyrus stems trihedral in cross section have large intercellular spaces filled with air. They are light and do not sink in water. In ancient times, papyrus stems were tied in bunches and made into shuttles, caulked large ships. Mats and baskets were woven from the stems. Sandals were made from the bark, and fabrics valued higher than linen were made from fiber. And most importantly - from the papyrus plant they made the form of paper, called papyrus.

Care for cyperus at home

Growing cyperus is quite simple (care). In summer, he needs a moderate temperature within 18 - 25 degrees, in winter he needs a temperature of 16 - 18, but not lower than 12 degrees. It grows best in a bright place, light partial shade. In summer you need shading from direct sunlight, in winter - good lighting. The basic rule for caring for cyperus is that its roots should always be moist. Therefore, it is better to place a pot with a plant in a deep pan filled with water in warm weather. Cyperus loves moist air, so be sure to spray it regularly and wash the leaves. In winter, watering is somewhat reduced. In spring and summer, cyperus is fed once every 2 to 3 weeks with complex fertilizers, such as Kemira.

Transplant the plant in the spring. The soil mixture should consist of leafy and humus soil, peat, sand in a ratio of 3:1:1:1. You can add a little charcoal and brick chips to the soil. Cyperus is propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, as well as apical cuttings. The easiest way: cut off the umbrella, shorten the leaves, leaving 2 - 3 cm, and lower them into a glass of water “head down”, stem up. The recommended stem length for rooting is approximately 1 cm, the water in the bowl should cover the cut leaves by 1.5 cm. Cyperus papyrus reproduces only by dividing the bush or by seeds that must be germinated in the light.

Cyperus can be grown in aquariums filled with water or in winter gardens. Small specimens of all kinds are suitable for miniature artificial lakes on a balcony, loggia or terrace. Papyrus, unlike other cyperus, needs more light. And it also requires more oxygen around the roots and regular drying, otherwise the cyperus may rot (the water in the pan must always be fresh). Cyperus can be affected by spider mites and thrips. With excessive dryness of the air, browning of the tips of the leaves occurs. Cyperus is a favorite treat for cats.

Under the threat of extinction is one of the subspecies of the genus Syt - papyrus (Cyperus papyrus hadidii). This subspecies is found only in Egypt, in a small area in the desert west of the southern part of the Nile Delta, in several small areas around springs.

The most widespread sedges include representatives of the genus Kamysh (Scirpus), which form extensive thickets along the banks of fresh water bodies ... Plants belonging to the large genus Syt are very well known - for example, the famous Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus L.), whose stems from ancient times to The Middle Ages served as a source of paper. It, like reeds, forms extensive thickets along the banks of African rivers and lakes.

Types of cyperus

The genus contains from 300 to 600 species of cyperus, some of them:

• Cyperus albostriatus Schrad. - cyperus, or white-striped syt
• Cyperus alternifolius L. - cyperus, or umbellate, alternate leaf
• Cyperus amuricus Maxim. - Amur syt
• Cyperus articulatus L. - jointed syllable
• Cyperus difformis L. - heterogeneous succulent
• Cyperus diffusus Vahl – sprawling sycamore
• Cyperus eragrostis Lam. - strong satiation
• Cyperus esculentus L. typus - edible succulent, or Chufa
• Cyperus fuscus L. - cyperus
• Cyperus glaber L. - smooth succulent
• Cyperus glomeratus L. - crowded succulent
• Cyperus haspan L. - satiated gaspan
• Cyperus iria L. - iriya
• Cyperus longus L. - long succulent
• Cyperus lucidus R.Br. - shiny satiety
• Cyperus rotundus L. - round succulent

Cyperus grows in marshy tropical, subtropical and temperate zones, belongs to the sedge family, it is also called Papyrus, Syt or Sitovnik. It is characterized by a thin elegant cut, thin pointed leaves that resemble grass. The leaves on the stem of the cyperus create umbrella rosettes. Most often, cyperus was the plant from which papyrus paper was made in Egypt, but nowadays cyperus is becoming increasingly important when it comes to decorating houses, especially those decorated in a modern style. The species grown at home is most often the cyperus umbrella (umbrella sytem).

Cultivation and care

When growing cyperus at home, it should be borne in mind that this is a marsh plant. The best soil for a plant is flower soil with pieces of charcoal. It will prevent rotting of the roots, which must be in wet soil all the time. Cyperus needs a fairly high air temperature, ranging from 21 to 27 degrees Celsius, can withstand up to 30 degrees. In addition, it must be sprayed frequently with water. It is also desirable to fill the stand with water, so that it should be correspondingly high. In winter, watering should be reduced.

Cyperus prefers a sunny place, diffused light is also suitable for him, the plant is not very demanding on lighting. In winter, in the place where the plant stands, the temperature should not be less than 10-12 degrees. In the summer, cyperus can be taken out into the garden.

Reproduction of cyperus is not too difficult. This can be done by dividing, just cut off the rosette of leaves with part of the stem, cut the leaves in half and plant it in water. Thus, the plant quickly develops roots. Such reproduction fast and efficient. If you want to divide the plant, then it is best to do it in the backyard, as removing the root from the pot can stain everything around with dirt. The roots must be carefully separated, cutting off the old and woody parts.

The plant requires fertilization from March to September with a frequency of about once every 2 weeks. Fertilizer must be dissolved in water for irrigation.

If it turns out that the ends of the cyperus dry out and turn brown, the air may be too dry or the use of hard water for irrigation. Dry air also contributes to the attack of scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs. If the stem is brittle, over-fertilization may be the cause.

Kinds

(Cyperus alternifolius) is the most popular home grown species. Homeland is Madagascar. Grows up to 60 cm in height. At the top of the stem it has thin, sharp leaves arranged in an umbrella shape. In its center, flowers appear, greenish-brown in color. Or variegata - this variety has white-green leaves, and Gracilis is a dwarf variety.

Papyrus, or Papyrus Syt(Cyperus papyrus) - suitable for water bodies, grows to almost 2 meters in height, grows in the wild in the swamps of the Nile.

(Cyperus diffusus) - originally from the island of Mauritius. It is characterized by impressive spike-shaped inflorescences that can be up to 30 cm longer than the leaves. The plant grows up to 90 cm.

(Cyperus albostriatus) resembles the previously mentioned species. It has beautiful yellow or cream leaves.

(Cyperus esculentus) is native to India and can also be found in Africa. The plant grows up to 38 cm, has edible tubers, hanging leaves and yellowish-brown inflorescences.

(Cyperus haspan) is native to Indonesia. It grows up to 100 cm. It is characterized by strong stems, its reddish inflorescences form beautiful panicles at the top of the stems.

(Cyperus brevifolia) grows in America. The plant forms large clusters. Only three leaves grow at the top of the stem.

Cyperus is an elegant, hardy and fast growing plant. It can be grown both in a pot at home and in the garden by planting in a container for the summer. The matching look can also beautify your pond.