Jamaica Swamp Sawgrass
Cladium mariscus

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A sedge. These grow in clumps and have grass like leaves and solid stalks. It grows about 1 m tall. It is a herb. It has an underground stem or rhizome and leaves arranged in a spiral.

There are 3 Cladium species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. It grows on the edges of lakes, swamps and pools.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Arabia, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Is., Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Crete, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Egypt, Europe (country/location of origin), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sicily, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Great Fen-sedge, Sedge, Swamp Saw-grass, Swamp Sawgrass

Synonyms

Mariscus mariscus (L.) Borbas; Schoenus mariscus L.; Some Cladium have been transferred to Baumea