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Useful Tropical Plants

Cyperus canus

J.Presl & C.Presl

Cyperaceae

+ Synonyms

Cyperus alternifolius obtusangulum (Boeckeler) T.Koyama

Cyperus flabelliformis obtusangulum Boeckeler

Common Name:

Cyperus canus
Botanical specimen of the seedhead
Photograph by: George S. Hinto.
Creative Commons License
Cyperus canus Cyperus canus

General Information

Cyperus canus is a perennial, grass-like plant producing robust culms 100 - 150cm tall from short, thick rhizomes[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The plant is of considerable utility and importance in central America, where it is traditionally used to weave mats used for bedding. The plant is rather scarce in the wild state, but it is frequently planted in small patches or fields, especially in the Pacific boca costa and about Coban. A rather handsome and ornamental plant, it closely resembles Cyperus alternifolius[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/

Range

S. America - Colombia; C. America - Costa Rica to Mexico.

Habitat

Damp thickets, wet fields, or frequently along stream banks, especially among rocks, sometimes planted; at elevations from 200 - 1,500 metres[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.20 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but it is said that the inner base of the young stems of all species in this genus can be eaten raw, and make an excellent survival food in times of need[
85
Title
Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains.
Publication
 
Author
Harrington. H. D.
Publisher
University of New Mexico Press
Year
1967
ISBN
0-8623-0343-9
Description
A superb book. Very readable, it gives the results of the authors experiments with native edible plants.
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The culms are used for weaving coarse mats[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. These are often used as beds[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. The culms are also used in basketry, for making fans, coasters etc[
991
Title
Cyperaceae of Economic, Ethnobotanical and Horticultural Importance: A Checklist
Publication
Kew Bulletin Vol. 56 No. 2, pp 257 - 360
Author
Simpson D.A.; Inglis C.A.
Publisher
The Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew, London
Year
2001
ISBN
1-84246-038-2
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive checklist, giving the range, habitat and uses of over 500 species.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cyperus+canus>

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