Umbrella sedge
Cyperus fulgens

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A sedge. These grow in clumps and have grass like leaves and solid stalks. The leaves are shiny and bright green. The flowers are in a loose spikelet. The bracts around the flowers are reddish-brown. The bulbs are about 12 mm across. They have papery scales. The corms are shallow and easily gathered.

There are 550 Cyperus species.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and subtropical subsaharan Africa. It grows in seasonally wet grasslands. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tubers are eaten raw or cooked. They have a sweet taste. They are roasted in hot ashes and boiled in milk.

It is an important food in some parts of Africa.

Edible parts

Tubers, bulb, corms, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Boesmanuintjie, Monakaladi, Oseu, Uintjie

Synonyms

Mariscus fulgens (C. B. Cl.) Vorster;