Cyperus articulatus L.

Perennial herb, robust, 0.6-1.6 m high, long-rhizomatous. Leaf blades absent (rarely up to 25 mm long. Culm scapose, septate (evident when dry), 3-12 mm in diam. at middle. Inflorescence a compound, terminal, lax anthela 40-150 mm in diam., with 1-3 sessile spikelet-clusters and 2-10 stalked spikelet clusters. Subtending bracts scalelike, 5-15 mm long. Spikelets linear, 5-55 x 1-2 mm. Glumes ovate, 3-4 mm long, keel pale, apex obtuse. Flowering time Dec. Nutlet narrowly elliptic, shortly apiculate, 1.4-1.7 x 0.4-0.5 mm, 3-angled, greyish yellow becoming reddish brown to dark olive-brown when mature; surface smooth.

A tropical plant. It grows in shallow water. It grows in damp soils along river banks. It is damaged by frost or drought. It can grow in slightly salty soils. It grows between 2-1,700 m above sea level. It grows in wet grass savannah. It can grow in arid places.

The plant is burnt to make salt. The fresh rhizome is peeled and eaten raw.

Plants can be grown by division. They can also be grown by seeds.