Chesa, Chetsa
Cyperus alternifolius

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A leafless sedge. The stems are green and up to 1 m tall. They are slender and triangle shaped. They have ribs. The plant spreads 1 m wide. The leaves are sheaths only. The flowers are in spikes and are yellow or rust coloured. They are surrounded by 12 curving leaf-like bracts that hang down. These form a ring at the top.

There are about 600 Cyperus species. In Slovenia possibly in a hot house.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet and marshy places in the hills in Malawi. It needs a partly shaded position. It is damaged by drought or frost. It is highly salt tolerant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Asia, Australia, Central America, East Africa, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guam, Guatemala, Indochina, Laos, Madagascar (country/location of origin), Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nauru, Niue, Philippines, SE Asia, Slovenia, St Helena, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, UAE

How it is used for food

The plants are collected, dried and burnt and then used in a solution to cook other leaves and vegetables.

Edible parts

Plant - salt

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or by division.

Its other names

Local names

Namen, Premenjalnolistna ostrica, Zozoro

Synonyms

Cyperus involucratus Rottb.; Cyperus flabelliformis Rottb.; Cyperus alternifolius L. subsp. flabelliformis (Rottb.) Kuk;