Dwarf papyrus
Cyperus haspan
Family: Cyperaceae
What it is like
A herb. It is a soft sedge. It grows 15-60 cm high. The stems forms tufts or can creep short distances. The leaves are reduced to scales which sheath the stem. The culms are 15-60 cm high. They can be flat or 3 angled. The bracts are 5-7.5 vm long. The spikelets are small and shiny brown.
There are 550 Cyperus species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical places and into warm temperate regions. It grows in damp spots. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central America, China, East Africa, Eswatini, Fiji, French Guiana, Ghana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Togo, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies
How it is used for food
Potash salt is recovered by burning this plant.
Edible parts
Tubers, ash - salt, root
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed or division.
Its other names
Local names
Capim-danda, Rumput sumbu, Sedge