Cyperus haspan - Dwarf Papyrus

Cyperus haspan looks exactly like the Nile Papyrus, but in a more compact version. Its upright stems bear delicate crowns of bracts at their tips. In addition to being exotic, this perennial plant is also very graphic. It can be planted with its feet in the water, at the edge of a pond, in a potted plant, on a patio, or as an indoor plant. It is hardier (from -5°C to -12°C) when its rhizome is submerged under 5 cm of water. Papyrus grown in pots should spend the winter in a veranda or indoors.

From the family of Cyperaceae, Cyperus haspan is native to the United States and Mexico, where it prefers wet areas. Cyperus papyrus, on the other hand, is native to the banks of the Nile. This aquatic perennial plant forms a clump of upright stems reaching 60 cm in height. Each stem bears at its tip thin green rays arranged in an umbel. In spring, around May and throughout summer, golden green spikelets appear on these crowns, turning brown when ripe. The leaves are insignificant, located at the base of the stems. Long and slender, they surround the stem.

This Dwarf Papyrus makes an excellent indoor plant in a bright room. Outdoors, plant it in a pot and remember to water it regularly. It is a plant that likes rich and moist soils. On the banks of a pond, associate your Cyperus haspan with Equisetum fluviatile, also known as Water Horsetail, to enhance its verticality, or with Thalia dealbata for an exotic touch. Add some colour with Filipendula purpurea, which has pink flowers, or a few Iris ensata 'Activity' with white and violet flowers.