Kyllinga pumila

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

An annual sedge. It is a herb that forms tufts. It has short underground stems or rhizomes. The stems are swollen at the base. They grow 30-40 cm high.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on the edge of pools of water. It grows in damp places in the savannah in West Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Belize, Burkina Faso, Central America, French Guiana, Ghana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Mexico, Nigeria, North America, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South America, Suriname, USA, Venezuela, West Africa

How it is used for food

The rhizome is chewed or used as a flavouring.

They are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, rhizome - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ayaa-ayaa, Burzu

Synonyms

Cyperus densicaespitosus (Ridl.) Mattf. & Kuk; Cyperus densicaespitosus var. major (Nees) Kuk; Cyperus tenuifolius (Steud.) Dandy; Hedychloa fragrans Raf.; Kyllinga blepharinota Hochst. ex Engl.; Kyllinga caespitosa Nees; and several others