Papyrus
Family Cyperaceae
Cyperus papyrus, papyrus (C. papyrus 1), is an up to 3-m tall plant with small leaves and flowers only at the top.
Distribution
Papyrus is a native to tropical African swamps (C. papyrus 2), but in ancient times it also occurred in Egypt.
Use
Nowadays papyrus is of historical interest only, but ancient civilisations used it for many purposes. The starch containing rhizomes were eaten, the stems were used for baskets, mat-plaiting etc., the pith was used as a burner in oil-lamps and paper was made of strips of stem pressed perpendicular together.