Cyperus alternifolius, commonly known as Umbrella Papyrus or Umbrella Sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to wetlands and marshy areas in Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, and various regions of Africa, including West Africa. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) with a clumping habit. The plant is characterized by its attractive, radiating leaf-like structures, which are actually modified stems called bracts that form an umbrella-like pattern at the top of the stems. The true leaves are inconspicuous and the greenish-brown flowers are small and clustered, blooming in the summer months. The flowers are not particularly showy, but the overall form of the plant is quite striking.

Umbrella Papyrus is valued for its unique, tropical appearance and is often used in water gardens, pond margins, and as a container plant for indoor or outdoor settings. It is also popular in floral arrangements. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers constantly moist or shallow standing water, making it ideal for bog gardens and other water features. It requires rich, loamy soil with good drainage. In cooler climates, it should be overwintered indoors or treated as an annual. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to spider mites, especially when grown indoors.CC BY-SA 4.0