Papyrus reed plant in ancient egypt11/23/2023 In East Africa, papyrus wetlands were estimated to cover about 40,000 km 2 in 1992, though that surface may be decreasing due to agricultural encroachment and economic development ( Jones et al., 2018). They occur around lakes, as headwater swamps, in valley bottoms, and as large floodplain wetlands ( Rooney, 2013). Papyrus-dominated swamps are the most common type of freshwater wetland in East and Central Africa. Papyrus does not withstand seasonal flooding regimes exceeding 3–4 m in amplitude, flash flooding or very low water levels during the dry season ( Popay, 2014, Vaughan, 2011). In deeper water, it is the chief compoent of floating vegetation islands moved by the wind. It is usually anchored by its rhizome in shallow water. This kind of process could yield a fibre-rich press cake for combustion and a protein-rich green juice suitable for animal fodder or human consumption ( Jones et al., 2018 Bruins et al., 2012).Ĭyperus papyrus occurs naturally in tropical and subtropical areas from sea level up to 2500 m altitude, in swamps and along the margins of lakes and rivers. Papyrus has been cited as a potential feedstock for small-scale green biorefinery processes adapted to African conditions. In Uganda, for instance, harvesting more than 15% of the papyrus from a swamp was found to be detrimental to swamp sustainability ( Vaughan, 2011). However, the sustainability of papyrus biofuel should be assessed carefully so that such exploitation does not degrade the papyrus wetlands and compromise the important ecosystem services they provide ( Jones et al., 2018). Dead plants turn into peat that can be extracted and used as biofuel ( Rooney, 2013). Papyrus can be dried and compressed into brickettes for construction or for fuel. The culms and particularly the rhizomes, which are denser, are burned for fuel though they produce high amount of smoke. Papyrus has significant potential as a biofuel because of its high productivity and its habit of growing in large stands. It has also many uses in ethnomedicine ( Vaughan, 2011 Rooney, 2013). Papyrus is planted worldwide as an ornamental, and the stems and inflorescences are used in floral arrangements. The pith and the rhizomes are edible: the pith can be eaten raw or cooked, or it can be chewed like sugarcane. The ashes provide vegetable salt in Burundi. The pith is dried and used for stuffing mattresses and cushions (Gabon), processed with waste paper and water to make sanitary napkins (Great Lakes region), and to manufacture cardboard and wallboard (Uganda and Rwanda). It is used to make furniture, mats, baskets and other handcrafts, and for buildings, roofing, brick-making, and boat construction ( Rooney, 2013 Jones et al., 2018). Papyrus is still used on a subsistence basis by people living in the vicinity of papyrus wetlands in Africa. The fibrous parts of the culms were used for ropes, nets, sandals etc. Papyrus is cited in the Bible ("bulrush" in the King James Version) as the material used to make Moses' cradle (Exodus 2-3: S he took for him an ark of bulrushes) and to make boats (Isaiah 18-2: That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters) (The Holy Bible, KJV21). It was the only widespread recording medium until the 8 th century in Europe ( Vaughan, 2011 Rooney, 2013). Paper made from dried, pressed and woven strips of culm pith had been used since 3500 BCE to make paper by ancient civilizations in Egypt and the Mediterranean basin. Papyrus is not primarily used as fodder but it can be browsed or cut for livestock feeding. They contain 12-40 cylindrical, sessile spikelets spirally arranged along the spike ( Popay, 2014 Vaughan, 2011). The spikes are 2-3 cm long x 0.6-1.2 cm wide. It contains 50-360 green smooth branches, 15-35 cm in length, that bear spikes clustered in umbels at their apex. The inflorescence looks like an umbel, hemispherical when young and becoming sub-globose with age. The leaves are alternate, reduced, sheathing, reddish-blackish brown in colour when young. They are photosynthetic and contain a solid pith, white-light brown. Papyrus culms are erect and roundly trigonous, smooth, 15-45 (-60) mm in diameter. The roots are tough and able to extend 1 m or more. MorphologyĬyperus papyrus is a stout, aquatic perennial rhizomatous sedge that grows to 3-5 m in height. Papyrus is now widely used as an ornemental ( Vaughan, 2011). The dry plant can be burned for fire production. The pith is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. It has been assessed as fodder for feeding livestock. Papyrus ( Cyperus papyrus L.) is an aquatic sedge mostly known for its use as paper by the ancient Egypt, Greek and Roman civilizations.
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