Cyperus aristatus

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Cyperus aristatus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. The seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Wet places in valleys and lowland all over N. America. A cosmopolitan plant, it is not found at high latitudes.

N. America to S. America. Naturalized in N. Italy.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Tuber - raw or cooked. A starchy flavour.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The leaves are used for weaving hats, matting etc.

Weaving: Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.

How it is grown

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, we have shown C. squarrosus as a synonym but it could be the correct name, whilst some botanists say that C. inflexus is the correct name. The dried plant is fragrant. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist sandy loam.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in the spring and keep the compost moist. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 18°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on for their first winter in a greenhouse and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. This is more a matter of harvesting the tubers and replanting them. If this is done in the autumn, then it is best to store the tubers in a cool frost-free place overwinter and plant them out in the spring.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. inflexus. Muhl. C. squarrosus. L.