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Floristic Inventory of the Florida Keys Database Online

Cyperus ligularis L.
Swamp flatsedge

Cyperus ligularis
Copyright by: Keith A. Bradley

Family: Cyperaceae

Group: Monocot

Substrate: Terrestrial

Habit: Herb

Perennation: Perennial

Native Range: Peninsular Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Old World.

IRC SOUTH FLORIDA Status: Secure

Map of select IRC data for peninsular Florida

SOUTH FLORIDA Occurrence: Present

SOUTH FLORIDA Native Status: Native

SOUTH FLORIDA Cultivated Status: Cultivated

FLORIDA KEYS Occurrence: Present

FLORIDA KEYS Native Status: Native

IRC FLORIDA KEYS Status: Apparently Secure

Map of select IRC data for the Florida Keys

Florida Keys History and Distribution: Reported in 1913 by John Kunkel Small for hammocks and sand dunes from the upper Keys to the lower Keys.  Although somewhat weedy, we consider this native and extant from the upper Keys to the lower Keys.  This is almost certainly more common than it was historically, spreading along roadsides and in other disturbed areas.

Other data on Cyperus ligularis available from :


Cyperus ligularis has been reported from the following 16 conservation areas in the FLORIDA KEYS :
Occurrence Native Status
Attwood Addition, Indian Key Historic State Park Present Native
Bahia Honda State Park Present Native
Biscayne National Park, Florida Keys Section Present Native
Blue Heron Hammock, Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area Present Native
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge Present Native
Curry Hammock State Park Present Native
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammocks Botanical State Park Present Native
Indian Key Historic State Park Reported
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Present Native
Lake San Pedro Hammocks, Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area Present Native
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park Reported
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, Klopp Tract Present Native
Little Hamaca Park Present Native
Long Key State Park Present Native
National Key Deer Refuge Present Native
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park Present Native




Cyperus ligularis has been reported for the following 5 habitats in THE FLORIDA KEYS :
Coastal Berm
Coastal Interdunal Swale
Disturbed Upland
Pine Rockland
Rockland Hammock


All Images:

Cyperus ligularis
Copyright by: Keith A. Bradley

Cyperus ligularis
Copyright by: Thrity Vakil; Agrandar.

Cyperus ligularis
Copyright by: Thrity Vakil; Agrandar.

Cyperus ligularis
Copyright by: Jay Horn via iNaturalist

Cyperus ligularis
Copyright by: Jay Horn via iNaturalist

Cyperus ligularis
Copyright by: Jay Horn via iNaturalist