The Umbrella Palm is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, including Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australia. The plant grows in marshy habitats, and its common name refers to the umbrella-like inflorescence which it produces. The inflorescence is composed of many small, yellow flowers, and is surrounded by large, green bracts. The plant is also known by the common names dwarf sedge, umbrella sedge, and umbrella plant.