Compare plants.

Umbrella sedge and Makaloa: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Umbrella sedge Cyperus involucratus	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Makaloa Cyperus laevigatus
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Northwest Islands.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Wet soil or standing water	Moist to wet
Mature height
1½–4 ft	1–2½ ft
Mature spread
2–3 ft	Up to 8 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.	Dense native stems shelter waterbirds and help hold wetland soil.
Growing notes
Clumping sedge for water gardens; commonly sold as umbrella plant.	Keep the root zone continuously wet for full growth; allow space for its spreading colony.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.