Typha orientalis

Typha orientalis
Leaves and flower spikes of Typha orientalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Typhaceae
Genus: Typha
Species:
T. orientalis
Binomial name
Typha orientalis
Synonyms
  • Typha japonica Miq.
  • Typha latifolia var. orientalis (C. Presl) Rohrb.
  • Typha muelleri Rohrb.
  • Typha orientalis var. brunnea Skvortsov in Baranov & Skvortsov
  • Typha shuttleworthii subsp. orientalis (C. Presl) Graebn.
  • Typha shuttleworthii var. orientalis (C. Presl) Rohrb.

Typha orientalis, commonly known as bulrush, cumbungi, or raupō, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Typha. It is native to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, China and the Russian Far East (Sakhalin and Primorye).

T. orientalis is a wetland plant that grows on the edges of ponds, lakes, salt marshes, and slow flowing rivers and streams.

Description

Typha orientalis is a perennial herb which grows up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in height and has a rhizome of up to 40 mm (1.6 in) in diameter. The long, sausage-like flower spikes are between 300–500 mm (12–20 in) in length.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Carl Borivoj Presl in the Epimeliae Botanicae in 1851.

Etymology

The species epithet orientalis refers to the species being found in East Asia. The plant's Māori name, raupō, is a word used in different Polynesian languages to describe bulrushes.

Distribution

The species is found across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The plant was introduced to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand by Māori.

Uses

Known as raupō in New Zealand, the plant was quite useful to Māori. The rhizomes were cooked and eaten, while the pollen was collected and baked into cakes known as pungapunga. The leaves were used for roofs and walls and occasionally for canoe sails, as well as a material for making kites. Many of the first shelters constructed for European settlers in the 19th century were made from raupō.

Notes

  1. ↑ Māori pronunciation: [ˈɾauˌpɔː].

References

  1. ↑ Zhuang, X. (2011). "Typha orientalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011 e.T168629A6524306. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T168629A6524306.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Typha orientalis". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "Typha orientalis". New Zealand Plant Network. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  4. ↑ Flora of China, v 23 p 161.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Vennell, Robert (2019). The Meaning of Trees. Auckland: HarperCollins UK. pp. 102–105. ISBN 978-1-77554-130-1. LCCN 2019403535. OCLC 1088638115. OL 28714658M. Wikidata Q118646408.
  6. ↑ "Typha orientalis C.Presl Broadleaf Cumbungi". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "Typha orientalis C.Presl". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  8. ↑ Johnson, Peter (24 September 2007). "Wetlands – Reeds, rushes, sedges and low growers". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  9. ↑ Lehnebach, Carlos A.; Regnault, Claire; Rice, Rebecca; Awa, Isaac Te; Yates, Rachel A. (1 November 2023). Flora: Celebrating our Botanical World. Te Papa Press. ISBN 978-1-9911509-1-2.
  10. ↑ Metcalf, Lawrie (1998). The Cultivation of New Zealand Native Grasses. Auckland, New Zealand: Random House. p. 48.
  11. ↑ Neich, Roger (1996). "New Zealand Maori Barkcloth and Barkcloth Beaters". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 33: 111–158. JSTOR 42906461. Wikidata Q58677501.