Swamp couch
Hemarthria altissima

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass. It keeps growing from year to year. It is branched and forms dense tangled masses. It spreads by underground stems or rhizomes. It can grow 1.5 m tall. The flower spikes occur singly at the top of the stems. The spikelets are pressed close to the axis.

There are 12 Hemarthria species. They grow in tropical and subtropical places.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places. In Swaziland it grows in the high veld only. It grows in wet places and along river banks. It can be in poorly drained and salty soils. It grows from 5-2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows between sea level and 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Botswana, Brazil, Central Africa, Chad, China, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The rhizome is eaten raw.

It is eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bulukusu, Burgu, Igasi, Manu, Tsangadzi

Synonyms

Manisuris altissima (Poir.) A. Hitchc.; Manisuris fasciculata (Lam.) A. Hitchc.; Hemarthria compressa (L. f.) R. Br. subsp. altissima (Poir.) Maire; Hemarthria compressa (L. f.) R. Br. var. fasciculata (Lam.) Keng; Hemarthria fasciculata (Lam.) Kunth; Rottboellia heterochroa Gand.; Rottboellia altissima Poir.; Rottboellia compressa L. f. var. fasciculata (Lam.) Hack.; Rottboellia fasciculata Lam.;