Typha orientalis
| Typha orientalis | |
|---|---|
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| Leaves and flower spikes of Typha orientalis | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Typhaceae |
| Genus: | Typha |
| Species: | T. orientalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Typha orientalis | |
| Synonyms | |
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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
[edit]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
[edit]The species was first described by Carl Borivoj Presl in the Epimeliae Botanicae in 1851.[6]
Etymology
[edit]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
[edit]The species is found across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.[7] The plant is introduced to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, where Māori introduced the plant prior to European settlement.[3]
Uses
[edit]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]
Gallery
[edit]-
Typha orientalis typically grows in wetlands, such as in the Brooklands Lagoon along the Styx River in Christchurch, New Zealand -
Leaves of Typha orientalis -
Flower head after bursting open to disperse seeds -
Seeds -
Pickled Typha orientalis rhizome sold in China
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ "Typha orientalis". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ a b c "Typha orientalis". New Zealand Plant Network. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Flora of China, v 23 p 161.
- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ "Typha orientalis C.Presl Broadleaf Cumbungi". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Typha orientalis C.Presl". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Johnson, Peter (24 September 2007). "Wetlands – Reeds, rushes, sedges and low growers". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Metcalf, Lawrie (1998). The Cultivation of New Zealand Native Grasses. Auckland, New Zealand: Random House. p. 48.
- ^ 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.