Cyperus papyrus

Cyperus papyrus

Cyperus papyrus, the "paper reed," is native to North Africa, belonging to the family Cyperaceae of the order Cyperales. Ancient Egyptians used the plant for many purposes, most famously for making paperlike papyrus. Its name in Greek and in English seems to have come from Egyptian. Cyperus papyrus is now used mainly for decoration, as it is nearly extinct in its native habitat in the Nile Delta, where in ancient times the paper reed was widely cultivated. Theophrastus' "History of Plants" (Book iv. 10) states that it grew in Syria; and, according to Pliny, it was also a native plant of the Niger River and the Euphrates.

Aside from papyrus, several members of the genus Cyperus may actually have been involved in the multiple uses Egyptians found for the plant. Its flowering heads were linked to make garlands for the gods in gratitude. The pith of young shoots was eaten both cooked and raw. Its woody root made bowls and other utensils and was burned for fuel. Of the stems were made reedboats (seen in bas-reliefs of the Fourth Dynasty showing men cutting papyrus to build a boat), sails, mats, cloth, cords and sandals. Theophrastus states that King Antigonus made the rigging of his fleet of papyrus, an old practice illustrated by the ship's cable, wherewith the doors were fastened when Odysseus slew the suitors in his hall (Odyssey. xxi. 390)

External links

Floridata

University of Connecticut Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Conservatory