Grey sedge, Cicao
Lepironia articulata

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Lepironia articulata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Wind, Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Open swamps. Open wet places, mostly in lowlands.

Tropical and subtropical areas from Madagascar, through south Asia to Australia and the west Pacific

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, China, East Africa, Fiji, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

The leaves are used for basket making, weaving into mats for packing items such as kapok, cotton, rubber etc. Highly ornamental with potential as a designer water feature plant.

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.

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

It grows in ephemeral swamps and the margins of fresh water swamps. It often occurs in acid sulfate soils. Grows in full sun to 50% shade in ephemeral swamps and the margins of fresh water swamps in water 0—500mm deep. Lepironia is native to the Central Coast, Mid & North Coast and coastal Queensland, Australia. While it is naturally restricted to the coast it will grow in inland climates if protected from heavy frost.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Purun, Purun danau

Synonyms

Chondrachne articulata (Retz.) R.Br. Choricarpha aphylla Boeckeler Lepironia compressa Boeckeler Lepironia conifera (Poir.) Druce Lepironia mucronata Rich. ex Pers. Restio articulates Retz. Scirpus coniferus Poir.