Cyperus alternifolius - Umbrella Palm

Cyperus alternifolius, commonly known as the Umbrella Palm, Umbrella Plant, or Umbrella Sedge, is a highly adaptable, clumping evergreen perennial native to Madagascar. It is the full-sized parent species of the 'Gracilis' cultivar, typically growing to a dramatic 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) tall.

The plant is characterized by its tall, rigid, triangular stems, each topped by an elegant, radiating crown of narrow, arching leaf-like bracts. This distinct arrangement creates a beautiful, multi-layered parasol effect that adds structural texture to any water feature or landscape.

True to its bog-plant nature, it thrives in permanently wet, saturated soil or submerged in water. It can sit comfortably in water depths up to 6 inches (15 cm) above the root crown. If grown in regular garden beds or patio pots, it must be watered constantly to ensure the soil never dries out.