Bolboschoenus glaucus

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A sedge. It grows 20-30 cm tall. These grow in clumps and have grass like leaves and solid stalks. It has round turnip shaped root tubers. The stalks are slightly twisted. There are no leaves but short sheaths at the base of the stalk. The flower spike is at the top. These occur singly and are cylinder shaped. The seed are rounded.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in paddy fields and seasonally wet land.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, India, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, USA, West Africa

How it is used for food

The rhizomes are made into flour for use in times of scarcity. (The tubers cause diarrhoea) The tubers can be cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Rhizomes, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chechur, Dila, Gurrapu sakatunga, Khitro, Mahat-kesur, Murak

Synonyms

Scirpus glaucus Lam.; Scirpus maritimus C.B.Clarke non Linn.; Scirpus tuberosus Desf.; and others