africa americas ancient egypt ark of bulrushes barbados binomial nomenclature biological classification bird california commelinids cyperaceae cyperus egyptians english language euphrates extinction florida flower folk etymology fruit greek language hawaii insect kenya lake naivasha lake victoria leaf levant louisiana madagascar makerere university morocco moses national geographic society niger river nile delta odyssey ornamental plant papyrus perennial plant poales pollination rhizome sicily sudan syria theophrastus thor heyerdahl uganda wikimedia commons