Plant Profile: Cyperus papyrus

Papyrus is a tall, perennial aquatic sedge native to Africa, characterized by its thick, black-scaled rhizomes. It typically reaches heights of 10 to 15 feet and features distinctive feather duster-like heads made up of slender rays and elongated bracts. In North Carolina, it is often utilized as a container plant or treated as an annual. This plant thrives in boggy soil or standing water, preferring full sun to partial shade.

Papyrus can be incorporated into water gardens or cultivated indoors in a 20-gallon pot, but it should be brought indoors before the first frost hits.

In some regions, such as Florida, California, and Hawaii, it has escaped cultivation and can become invasive, potentially obstructing waterways.