Cyperus involucratus
Umbrella plant
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Cyperus involucratus (Umbrella plant) is a non-native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by large size and umbrella-like bract arrangement unmistakable.
Umbrella plant is a naturalized perennial found in southern California coastal regions in ditches and shoreline habitats at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering throughout the entire year, this plant produces light brown flowers in stellate clusters 15 to 30 millimeters wide with distinctive umbrella-like inflorescence bracts. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with 1 to 20 approximately three-angled stems, it forms dramatic architectural clusters. Its inflorescence bracts are especially prominent, extending 14 to 22 rays with spikelets 5 to 15 millimeters long that create a dramatic radial structure. The tiny fruits are finely pitted and approximately 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; large size and umbrella-like bract arrangement unmistakable
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ditches, shores
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Alameda, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Imperial, San Luis Obispo, Del Norte, Lake, Kern, Butte, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, Sacramento, Marin, Monterey
Outside California: native to eastern Africa, sometimes cultivated
Bloom period
Cyperus involucratus blooms All year.
How to tell it apart
vs Carex: Cyperus has umbrella clusters with flat spikes; Carex has brown/green spikelets with seeds in individual flasks.; vs Scirpus: Cyperus has flattened ribbon-like spikes; Scirpus has rounded, cylindrical spikelets.; vs Juncus: Cyperus has triangular stems and flat flower spikes; Juncus has round stems and individual flowers.; vs Sticherus: Cyperus is a sedge with triangular stem; Sticherus is a fern with fronds.; vs Eleusine: Cyperus has triangular stems; Eleusine is a grass with round stems and obvious grass flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cyperus involucratus native to California?
No. Cyperus involucratus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Cyperus involucratus bloom?
Cyperus involucratus blooms All year.
Where in California does Cyperus involucratus grow?
Cyperus involucratus occurs in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Alameda, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Cyperus involucratus belong to?
Cyperus involucratus is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Cyperus.
What habitat does Cyperus involucratus grow in?
Cyperus involucratus grows in Ditches, shores.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.