Cyperus laxus
Lam.
Cyperaceae
Some treatments view this taxon in a broader sense and include the Asian species Cyperus diffusus Vahl as a synonym. However, most modern treatments accpet the two species as distinct (the treatment followed here)[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. It should be assumed that any uses for this species, where the range is given as Asia, would be more correctly applied to Cyperus diffusus[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cyperus buchholzii Boeckeler
Cyperus diffusus buchholzii (Boeckeler) Kük.
Cyperus diffusus tolucensis (Kunth) Kük.
Cyperus diffusus umbrosus (Lindl. & Nees) Kük.
Cyperus homoiiria Steud.
Cyperus laxus Griseb.
Cyperus laxus foliis-variegatis Pynaert
Cyperus limbatus Maury ex Micheli
Cyperus macrostachyus Ten. ex Boeckeler
Cyperus octophyllus Hochst. ex Steud.
Cyperus sylvestris Ridl.
Cyperus tolucensis Kunth
Cyperus umbrosus Lindl. & Nees
Torulinium angolense Turrill
Common Name:
General Information
Cyperus laxus is a perennial, grass-like plant producing slender to stout culms 20 - 50cm tall from short, slender 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 harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
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
Tropical Africa - widespread; S. America - widespread northwards, also through the Caribbean and through central America to Mexico
Habitat
Wet thickets or shaded banks, often in moist forest, rarely in open places; usually at low elevations but sometimes ascending to 1,300 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
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.35 m |
| Cultivation Status | 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
The root, either on its own or mixed with the leaves of Ocimum micranthum, is applied in a decoction as a febrifuge[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
The whole plant, but particularly the rhizome, is used in the treatment of fevers, usually with other febrifuge plants[
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.
]
An infusion of the leaves is applied as a lotion to the eyelids in order to treat blepharitis[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
