Tall sedge
Cyperus cyperoides

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A tall sedge. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a short woody underground stem or rhizome. This has brown fibres over it. The stalks are erect and 3 sided. These grow in clumps and have grass like leaves and solid stalks. It is slender and 75 cm high. The leaves are soft and light green. They are 4 mm wide and have a distinct midrib. They taper to a point. The flowering stem is 2 mm across and has a ring of bracts below the flowering section. The spikelets are spreading and light colour. The flowering heads are 3-8 cm wide.

There are 550 Cyperus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the tropics in Asia. It grows in wet areas. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 900 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo DR, East Africa, Easter Island, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Guam, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malesia, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niue, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The roots and seeds are made into flour.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Root, tubers, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bunga sendayan, Karaunte, Menderong ekur tupai, Padang sila

Synonyms

Cyperus cyperoides (L.) Britton; Cyperus umbellatus (Rottb.) Benth. [Illegitimate]; Kyllinga umbellata var. sumatrensis (Retz.) Willd.; Mariscus cyperoides (L.) Urb. [Illegitimate]; Mariscus umbellatus (Rottb.) Vahl. [Illegitimate]; Mariscus sieberianus Nees; Mariscus sumatrensis Retz.; Scirpus cyperoides L.; Stylochiton puberulus;