Cyperus natalensis
Hochst. ex C.Krauss
Cyperaceae
Common Name: Giant Dune Sedge
General Information
Cyperus natalensis is an erect, grass-like perennial plant growing from a stoloniferous rootstock; it produces a loose cluster of culms up to 130 cm tall[
1944- Title
- Studies in Cyperaceae in Southern Africa 38: The identities of Cyperus natalensis, Cyperus crassipes and Cyperus bre
- Publication
- South African Journal of Botany 72: (2006) 133-138.
- Author
- Gordon-Gray, K.D., Ward, C.J. & Edwards, T.J.
- Website
- http://10.1016/j.sajb.2005.06.002
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2006
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials for weaving. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1944- Title
- Studies in Cyperaceae in Southern Africa 38: The identities of Cyperus natalensis, Cyperus crassipes and Cyperus bre
- Publication
- South African Journal of Botany 72: (2006) 133-138.
- Author
- Gordon-Gray, K.D., Ward, C.J. & Edwards, T.J.
- Website
- http://10.1016/j.sajb.2005.06.002
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2006
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
Eastern Africa - Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal
Habitat
Mesic situations, growing with grasses and occasional dicotyledons. It also flourishes in permanent fresh water up to 1 metre in depth[
1944- Title
- Studies in Cyperaceae in Southern Africa 38: The identities of Cyperus natalensis, Cyperus crassipes and Cyperus bre
- Publication
- South African Journal of Botany 72: (2006) 133-138.
- Author
- Gordon-Gray, K.D., Ward, C.J. & Edwards, T.J.
- Website
- http://10.1016/j.sajb.2005.06.002
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2006
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 1.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | 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
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is an effective binder of stable humic sands[
1944- Title
- Studies in Cyperaceae in Southern Africa 38: The identities of Cyperus natalensis, Cyperus crassipes and Cyperus bre
- Publication
- South African Journal of Botany 72: (2006) 133-138.
- Author
- Gordon-Gray, K.D., Ward, C.J. & Edwards, T.J.
- Website
- http://10.1016/j.sajb.2005.06.002
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2006
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
The culms are soft and pliabe. They are used in basketry[
1944- Title
- Studies in Cyperaceae in Southern Africa 38: The identities of Cyperus natalensis, Cyperus crassipes and Cyperus bre
- Publication
- South African Journal of Botany 72: (2006) 133-138.
- Author
- Gordon-Gray, K.D., Ward, C.J. & Edwards, T.J.
- Website
- http://10.1016/j.sajb.2005.06.002
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2006
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. The culms are used in weaving to make sleeping mats, collecting baskets, winnowing baskets, grinding mats, rolled twine and cutting boards[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
,
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 -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
