Common Names: Umbrella Sedge, Umbrella Plant, Mariscus, Flat Sedge
Local Names: Ranransa (Hausa, Nigeria), Ikeregun, Alubosa Eranko (Yoruba, Nigeria), Kora (Mandinka, Gambia)
Species ID: NMP-103 | wfo-0000468287

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Monocots

Clade: Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: Cyperus

Species: C. alternifolius

Synonyms: Cyperus involucratus Rottb., Cyperus flagellatus Hochst., Cyperus gradatus Forssk., Cyperus petersianus Boeckeler, Cyperus proximus Steud., Mariscus cyperinus (Retz.) Vahl, Mariscus nemorosus Vahl

Cyperus alternifolius, commonly known as umbrella sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant with a tufted growth habit. Its key features include:

·       Habit: Clump-forming sedge, 0.5–1.5 m tall, with a rhizomatous base.

·       Stem: Triangular, smooth, green, 2–5 mm thick, erect or slightly arching.

·       Leaves: Linear, grass-like, 20–40 cm long, 5–10 mm wide, arranged in an umbrella-like whorl at stem tips, dark green (Lansdown, 2019).

·       Inflorescences: Compound umbels, 10–20 cm across, with 10–25 spikelets, each 5–15 mm long, bearing small, brownish flowers.

·       Roots: Fibrous with aromatic rhizomes, often used in traditional practices (Adeniyi et al., 2014).

Its umbrella-like leaf arrangement and wetland affinity distinguish it in the Cyperaceae family (Simpson & Inglis, 2001).

Cyperus alternifolius is native to Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands but is widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions:

·       Regions: Africa (Nigeria, South Africa), Asia (India, Philippines), Americas (Brazil, USA), Australia.

It thrives in wet habitats such as swamps, marshes, riverbanks, and pond edges at elevations up to 1,000 m, preferring saturated, loamy soils (pH 5.5–7.0) and full sun to partial shade.

 Cyperus alternifolius, commonly known as the umbrella plant, has been traditionally utilized for various medicinal purposes. Studies have demonstrated that its extracts possess antimicrobial properties, effectively inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria and fungi. Additionally, the plant exhibits significant antioxidant activity, which may contribute to its potential hepatoprotective effects. Notably, methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of its tubers have shown anti-ulcer properties by significantly reducing ulcer numbers and total ulcer scores in experimental models. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Cyperus alternifolius in traditional medicine.

·       Antimicrobial: Leaf extracts in Nigeria treat wounds and infections. Adeniyi et al. (2014) found methanolic extracts (MIC 0.625 mg/mL) inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger, linked to flavonoids and tannins.

·       Gastrointestinal: Rhizome decoctions in Ghana manage diarrhea and stomachaches.

·       Antioxidant: Rhizomes in Egypt exhibit free radical scavenging. Onocha et al. (2016) reported essential oils (IC₅₀ 18.5 μg/mL) neutralized DPPH radicals, attributed to terpenoids.

·       Antivenom/Insecticide: Roots in South Africa counter snakebites and repel insects. Traditional use aligns with terpene content noted by Simpson and Inglis (2001).

·       Anti-inflammatory: Leaf poultices in India soothe swelling. Edeoga et al. (2005) suggest flavonoids contribute to this effect.

Phytochemicals include flavonoids (quercetin), tannins, steroids, terpenoids, and carbohydrates, supporting its broad medicinal applications (Adeniyi et al., 2014; Onocha et al., 2016).

⚠  Toxicity Profile: No acute toxicity observed in rats at 2,000 mg/kg of leaf extract orally over 14 days, though high doses may cause mild gastrointestinal upset due to tannins. Rhizome sap may irritate skin (Onocha et al., 2016).

·       Culinary: Aromatic rhizomes used as a spice in West African dishes (Simpson & Inglis, 2001).

·       Ecological: Stabilizes shorelines and filters water in wetlands.

·       Craft: Stems woven into mats and thatch in rural communities (Burkill, 1985).

·       Ornamental: Grown for its umbrella-like foliage in gardens (Simpson & Inglis, 2001).

• Adeniyi, T. A., Adeonipekun, P. A., & Omotayo, E. A. (2014). Investigating the phytochemicals and antimicrobial properties of three sedge (Cyperaceae) species. Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 6(3), 276–281. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb639356

• Burkill, H. M. (1985). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa (Vol. 1). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

• Edeoga, H. O., Okwu, D. E., & Mbaebie, B. O. (2005). Phytochemical constituents of some Nigerian medicinal plants. African Journal of Biotechnology, 4(7), 685–688. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajb2005.000-3127

• Onocha, P. A., Oloyede, G. K., Abegunde, L. M., & Oluwafemi, A. K. (2016). Antioxidant, toxicity and phytochemical screening of extracts obtained from Mariscus alternifolius Vahl. Journal of Natural Science Research, 6(5), 1–7.

• Simpson, D. A., & Inglis, C. A. (2001). Cyperaceae of economic, ethnobotanical and horticultural importance: A checklist. Kew Bulletin, 56(2), 257–360. https://doi.org/10.2307/4110962

• GBIF - Cyperus alternifolius

• World Flora Online - Cyperus alternifolius

• Wikipedia - Cyperus alternifolius

• α-Cyperene
• Z-14-nonacosen
• Tricosane
• n-Decanal
• Hentriacontane
• 9-Eicosene, (E)-
• 2-methyl-1-hexadecanol
• 2-Decanone

Oriola, A. O., Aladesanmi, A. J., Idowu, T. O., Akinkunmi, E. O., Obuotor, E. M., & Ogunsina, M. O. (2014). A new bioactive thiophenolic glycoside from the leaf of Massularia acuminata (g. Don Bullock) ex Hoyle (Rubiaceae). African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 11(2), 319-323.