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Umbrella sedge and ʻAhuʻawa: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Umbrella sedge Cyperus involucratus	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE ʻAhuʻawa Cyperus javanicus
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Native range
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi, Northwest Islands.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Wet soil or standing water	Dry soil / Average moisture / Moist to wet
Mature height
1½–4 ft	1–2½+ ft
Mature spread
2–3 ft	2+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
8–11	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Summer–fall seedheads	Year-round foliage
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	Native waterfowl use this flood-tolerant sedge for food, shelter, and nesting material.
Growing notes
Clumping sedge for water gardens; commonly sold as umbrella plant.	Grows in dry through wet sites, including shallow water; seedlings can spread freely in wet gardens.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.