Ilat, Rice sedge
Cyperus diffusus

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A sedge. These grow in clumps and have grass like leaves and solid stalks. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 25-75 cm tall. The roots are reddish brown. The leaves grow from near the base. The flowers are in an irregular group with a ring of large leaf like bracts. These are unequal and can be 5-35 cm across. The fruit are 3 sided.

There are 550 Cyperus species. In Slovenia possibly in a hot house.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Java it grows up to 800 m above sea level. It is often in shade and near water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America, Guatemala, Indonesia, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Slovenia

How it is used for food

Young plants with the root removed and cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Razprostrta ostrica, Wet-kyein, Wet-kyein-myet

Synonyms

Cyperus bancanus Miq. and several others