A tall, water- or semi-water-growing sedge. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa.

Papyrus can reach a height of 2-5 meters, making it a striking and visually impressive plant in swampy environments.

The stems are stiff, leafless, and crowned with feathery umbels. At the top of each stem, the plant forms a dense, bushy cluster of thin, arching bracts that together form an umbrella-like structure. These bracts can spread up to 30 cm wide.

In ancient Egypt, papyrus was a crucial material for making one of the world's earliest forms of paper. Strips of the pith were laid in overlapping layers, pressed, and dried to form sheets.