What plant's stems were used to create the writing material papyrus?

The stems of the papyrus plant were used to create the writing material known as papyrus. The plant's scientific name is Cyperus papyrus, a tall wetland sedge that once grew abundantly along the Nile.

To make a sheet, Egyptian craftsmen removed the outer rind and cut the plant's soft inner pith into long strips. One layer was arranged side by side, and a second layer was placed across it at right angles. The strips were pressed, dried, and polished into a firm writing surface.

Papyrus was especially useful because it was lighter and easier to produce than many alternatives. Sheets could be joined with adhesive to form long rolls, making scrolls suitable for letters, accounts, religious texts, medical treatises, and literature. Papyrus was also used for ropes, mats, sandals, baskets, and boats.

Papyrus is sometimes confused with parchment, but they were made from different materials. Papyrus came from a plant, whereas parchment was prepared from animal skins. Parchment gradually became more important for books in Europe because it was more durable in damp conditions and could be written on both sides.