Giant bulrush, Greater club-rush
Actinoscirpus grossus

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A coarse sedge with triangular stems up to 2 m high. It develops runners. The stems are sharply triangle shaped. The edges are rough and it curves inwards. The leaves are about half the length of the stem. The leaf sheaths are 14-20 cm long. The leaf blade is 60-100 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The large flower clusters have broad leaf-like bracts up to 60 cm long.

Chemical composition (after Paton & Dunlop) (grams per 100g): Protein = 4.12g. Fat = 1.0g. Carbohydrate (soluble) = 76.18g. Fibre = 6.80g. Ash = 3.40g. Water = 8.50g. Calories = 338.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Common in open swamps at low altitudes and widely distributed in the Philippines. In southern China it grows in paddy fields and moist places between 100-900 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The roots are poisonous unless properly processed. The roots are edible after proper processing and then cooked. They are crushed and burnt then ground into flour. They are dried before being ground into flour. (NB Drying often removes a poison.)

Edible parts

Roots, tubers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dila, Gunda-tunga gaddi, Gundaro, Jomekesari, Kachar, kaandaa, Kachera, Kasara, Kaseru, Kaseruka, Kasoor maati, Kasuru, Kesar, Kesari, Kesur, Ketemboh, Kherasi, Lingi, Mansiang, Mansiro, Marangkhesari, Mesiang, Reduk, Rumput menderong, Rumput morong, Santara, Tikiu, Walingi, Wlingen

Synonyms

Schoenoplectus grossus (L. f.) Palla; Scirpus grossus L.f. Hymenochaeta grossa (L.f.) Nees; Scirpus kysoor (Kyseor) Roxb.;