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Glite Dictionary
Cyperus alternifolius

Cyperus alternifolius

9.9
A water plant from Africa with thin grasslike leaves in an umbrella shape at each stem tip
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cyperus alternifolius
  • The Cyperus alternifolius thrives best in shallow water near garden ponds.

Examples

  • Many gardeners value Cyperus alternifolius for its unique umbrellalike foliage.

  • I added a Cyperus alternifolius to my conservatory for a touch of tropical greenery.

  • The Cyperus alternifolius thrives in wetland areas.

  • Many gardeners choose Cyperus alternifolius for its unique appearance.

  • I added a Cyperus alternifolius to my conservatory for a touch of tropical greenery.

  • Many gardeners value Cyperus alternifolius for its unique umbrellalike foliage.

  • The Cyperus alternifolius thrives best in shallow water near garden ponds.

Synonyms

umbrella sedge
vsCyperus alternifolius
  • South African
8.9

A water plant from Africa with a top group of thin leaves that spread like an umbrella

is the precise scientific name for that same water species
umbrella plant
vsCyperus alternifolius
  • South African
6.6

An African water plant with a circular fan of thin grass-like leaves used in ponds

is the botanical species name rather than the general ornamental term

Surface Forms

Cyperus alternifolius singular
Cyperus alternifolii plural

Morphology

Cyperus + alternifolius

This is a Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet). The second element 'alternifolius' is not an English word and requires botanical/Latin knowledge, but if a learner did know both constituents they could at least infer it names a type of Cyperus with an alternating-leaf characteristic while not recovering the full horticultural description.

Etymology

Cyperus alternifolius comes from older plant words: Cyperus is the name for a grass-like sedge and alternifolius literally means 'alternate leaves'. This name points to the plant's long, grasslike leaves that spread in an umbrellalike cluster at the stem tip, so the name helps you picture the plant's look.