Cyperus longus
Ecology
A rhizomatous perennial herb of marshes and wet pastures near the coast, and sometimes in base-rich flushes on sea-cliffs. It also occurs on pond margins and in ditches inland, where it is usually planted. Reproduction is through vigorous rhizomatous spread, and it may not set seed in Britain. Lowland.
Status
Trends
Since the 1962 Atlas this species has apparently been lost from some native sites because of agricultural change, including the cessation of grazing. However, new native sites have been discovered since 1960, notably in N. Wales, and the number of introduced sites has increased very considerably.
World Distribution
European Southern-temperate element.
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Broad Habitats
Light (Ellenberg): 8
Moisture (Ellenberg): 9
Reaction (Ellenberg): 7
Nitrogen (Ellenberg): 5
Salt Tolerance (Ellenberg): 0
January Mean Temperature (Celsius): 5.7
July Mean Temperature (Celsius): 16.1
Annual Precipitation (mm): 943
Height (cm): 100
Perennation - primary
Life Form - primary
Woodiness
Clonality - primary
Count of 10km squares in Great Britain: 33
Count of 10km squares in Ireland: 0
Count of 10km squares in the Channel Isles: 12
Atlas Change Index: 2.22
JNCC Designations
Scarce Atlas Account
Cyperus longus L.
Galingale
Status: scarce
C. longus is found in marshes and wet pastures near the coast, particularly in valleys and also in base-rich flushes on the cliffs.
It is a rhizomatous perennial, forming vigorously spreading patches that may extend over a considerable area, eliminating most competition. The seed may well not ripen in Britain (Syme 1870).
The species seems to have declined in localities where it is almost indisputably native. However, it was used agriculturally in the Channel Islands and so it may have been planted at some of these sites. It has gone from many of the coastal sites shown in the Atlas (Perring & Walters 1962), through drainage and agricultural improvement of habitat, and through cessation of grazing which has led to outcompetition by Oenanthe crocata, or invasion by alder scrub. However, there are also many recent records from ponds and ditches all over southern England. It is widely available horticulturally, especially at aquatic garden centres, and at many sites is clearly deliberately introduced.
It is common over all western, central and southern Europe, east to central Asia, and in North and East Africa.
D. A. Pearman
Atlas text references
Atlas (352a)
.
1994. Scarce plants in Britain.