Papyrus is the name given both to the plant and to the paper. The plant (cyperus papyrus) takes root in earth and water. The stem is triangular in shape; it grows from 3 to 6 metres high and is about 10 centimetres wide. It is formed of long fibres from the base to the top and is banded by a thin and compact bark; it produces only one flower which looks like a big umbrella made of small long and thin branches which end in ears. The colours strengthen the elegance of the plant; the small leaves at the base are green with a yellow tone, the stem has a shiny and intense emerald - green colour, the bud is green with yellow and copper - coloured tones, the trunk is canary yellow and the ears are reddish. The Cyperus papyrus mustn't be confused with the Cyperus alternifolius, an inside plant with a round trunk which ends in an umbrella made of thin lancelet leaves. The plant grew naturally in Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, along the Nile and the Niger. Egyptians at first called it uaz, Greek called it biblos, then papyrus and in the end chartès. The same terms can be found in Italian: biblioteca, papiro, carta; in German: papier, in English: paper; in French: papier. Ropes, containers, mats, boats, sails, light, sandals (the only footwear that Egyptian high priests were allowed to wear) were also manufactured; the juice was served as a drink and its ashes used as medicine. (click to zoom in)