Papyrus

ancient Egypt · water plants · writing · nature

Tall reed plant. Papyrus is a flowering plant that grows in shallow water, reaching up to 15 feet tall with feathery tufts at the top that look like giant brushes.

Ancient paper source. The ancient Egyptians discovered they could peel strips from the papyrus stem, layer them crisscross, and press them together to create a smooth writing surface that lasted thousands of years.

Nile River home. Papyrus grows naturally in marshes and shallow waters along the Nile River in Egypt and Sudan, where it forms dense stands of reed-like vegetation.

Sedge family member. Papyrus belongs to the sedge family, which are grass-like plants with triangular stems, and it's a perennial that comes back year after year in warm climates.

Useful plant. Beyond paper, ancient people used papyrus for food (eating the roots), building boats, weaving mats, and making sandals and rope.