Guinea rush, Jointed flatsedge
Cyperus articulatus
Family: Cyperaceae
What it is like
A herb. It is an almost leafless sedge. It keeps growing from year to year and is erect. The stems are 1.2 m tall and pithy. The stems are about 1 cm thick. They are cylinder shaped and pale yellow. The flowering stalk has fine drooping branches. It has black tubers. They have a lavender smell.
There are 550 Cyperus species. It has many uses in perfume and medicine.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in shallow water. It grows in damp soils along river banks. It is damaged by frost or drought. It can grow in slightly salty soils. It grows between 2-1,700 m above sea level. It grows in wet grass savannah. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America, Chad, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ecuador, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, North America, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The plant is burnt to make salt. The fresh rhizome is peeled and eaten raw.
Edible parts
Tubers, root, rhizomes
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by division. They can also be grown by seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Aldrue, Bitono, Bum-ane, Culeme, Entede, Kauju, Kolime, M'pofa, Mampufam Contumo, Mdulu, Mlulu, Modjote, Mussumarre, N'Buam, N'popa, N'ted, N'ten-tede, N'tende, Ndrauru, Nkulu, Tindzau, Tsimitamita, Umbuan, Umpopa, Untende, Ussoe