Typha orientalis

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Wikipedia

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,[2] 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).[3][4]

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.[3][5]

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Carl Borivoj Presl in the Epimeliae Botanicae in 1851.[6]

Etymology

The species epithet orientalis refers to the species being found in East Asia.[5] The plant's Māori name, raupō, is a word used in different Polynesian languages to describe bulrushes.[5]

Distribution

The species is found across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.[7] The plant was introduced to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand by Māori.[3]

Uses

Known as raupō in New Zealand,[8] 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.[9][5] The leaves were used for roofs and walls and occasionally for canoe sails,[10] as well as a material for making kites.[11] Many of the first shelters constructed for European settlers in the 19th century were made from raupō.[5]

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. ISSN 0067-0464. JSTOR 42906461. Wikidata Q58677501.