Bhada, Flat Sedges, Nut Sedges or Umbrella Sedge.
Cyperus cephalotes

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Cyperus cephalotes is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

On floating islands in tanks, the roots entangled in the mass of the decaying surface vegetation of plants such as Pistia sp. and Salvinia sp. Also found floating in rivers. Found at low elevations up to 100 metres.

This species occurs in India, South East Asia, New Guinea and Queensland in northern Australia. In China, it has been report from in Fujian province only.

Conservation Status: Status: Least Concern. It has been listed as threatened in Queensland, Australia. Listed as endangered under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth).

Countries/locations it is found in

Native: Australia (Queensland); Bangladesh; China (Fujian); India; Indonesia (Jawa, Kalimantan, Papua); Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The rhizomes possess anti-emetic values and act as a sedative in dyspeptic disorders, particularly in vomiting during pregnancy.

Other

Rating: 2

The stems are used for mat-making. The stems are made into green mats called 'Riukiu-omote' in Japan. A great plant for a background or screening area in the pond. It can also be planted as a single plant in a water feature to add a more tropical look to an area.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

This species is mostly aquatic, growing in still or slow running water up to 0.5 m deep. It also occurs in floating inland rivers, with roots entangled in a mass of Pistia, Salvinia, and decayed water plants. Fresh water.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Yes

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Anosporum cephalotes Kurz Anosporum monocephalum Nees Cyperus monogynus Boeckeler Ficinia foliaceo-bracteata Pfeiff. Hydroschoenus kyllingioides Zoll. & Moritzi Trentepohlia bifoliata Boeck