Nut Grass

Cyperus rotundus

Physical Characteristics

Cyperus rotundus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from March to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

S. and W. Europe, Tropical areas.

Habitats

Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Tuber - raw or cooked[2, 85, 105, 183, 272]. A very strong flavour when freshly harvested, said to resemble 'Vick's VapoRub', the tubers become milder if they are allowed to dry[183]. A pleasant nutty flavour according to another report[95] whilst another says that the roots are very unpalatable raw and a little better but still not very palatable when cooked[144]. The dried roots can be ground into a powder and used as a cereal[257]. Seed. A famine food, used when all else fails[177]. It is very small and would be fiddly to use[K].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Antibacterial Antibiotic Antispasmodic Antitussive Aromatic Astringent Carminative Contraceptive Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Lithontripic Sedative Skin Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Vermifuge Nut grass is a pungent bitter-sweet herb that relieves spasms and pain, acting mainly on the digestive system and uterus[238]. The roots and tubers are analgesic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antitussive, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, litholytic, sedative, skin, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[116, 145, 147, 152, 176, 218, 238, 240, 279]. They are used internally in the treatment of digestive problems and menstrual complaints[238]. They are commonly combined with black pepper (Piper nigrum) in the treatment of stomachaches[272]. The roots are harvested in the summer or winter and are dried for later use[238]. An essential oil in the tubers has antibiotic activity and has been shown to arrest the growth of Micrococcus pyrogenes[240]. The plant is rated 8th amongst 250 potential antifertility plants in China[218]. The plant is used in the treatment of cervical cancer[218].

Known Hazards

None known