This species is closely allied to Cyperus imbricatus, from which it is sometimes difficult to be distinguished, as both are very polymorphous. Cyperus exaltatus is often more robust, its spikes are less dense and peduncled, and the glumes more closely imbricate[].

Common Name:

General Information

Cyperus exaltatus is a robust, herbaceous perennial plant with grass-like leaves. It produces culms up to 150cm tall from short rhizomes[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of material for making mats, thatch etc.
Cyperus exaltatus is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Widespread through tropical Africa; E. Asia from China and India through to New Guinea and Australia.

Habitat

Grasslands, pond margins, sandy soil, moist or wet places; at elevations from near sea level to 1,100 metres[]. Wet places at low elevations: embankments in tidal forests, grassy swamps behind the beach-wall[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

This and other large sedges are burnt to produce a vegetable salt[, ]. No further details are given, but the general process is to burn the dried plant then percolate water through the ashes to dissolve out the salts. The water is then evaporated to leave behind the salts[].

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[].

Medicinal

The rhizome is grated and eaten, and also applied in dressings to scarifications over the spleen, in the treatment of cases of chronic malaria[].
The rhizome is grated to make a poultice that is applied to whitlow and to swollen buboes in cases of blood poisoning in order to draw and maturate the pus[]. Combined with the stem of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), it is applied to swollen breasts in order to promote milk-flow[].

Other Uses

The culms are used for thatching[].

The strong culms are used in hut-building, and are split to weave into reed-mats[, , ]. They are used as toy spears by young boys[].

Propagation

Seed -

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