Poorland flatsedge
Cyperus compressus
Family: Cyperaceae
What it is like
A sedge. It is a herb that grows each year from seed. It grows 3-27 cm high. It forms small tufts. The stem can be up to 2 mm across. It is sharply triangle shaped. The blades are up to 16 cm long and 2.5 mm wide. They can be flat or folded. The flowers are in a small cluster of spikes.
Where it is found
It grows throughout the tropics. It grows in savannah grasslands. It grows in the Himalayas up to 1,200 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It grows in wet sandy places and paddy fields. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, American Samoa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America, China, East Africa, Fiji, Gabon, Guam, Guatemala, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The rhizome is eaten cooked or raw.
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Rhizomes, root, tuber
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Etipu, Pup, Tugulu, Wetlar-myet, Wetta-myet