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Useful Tropical Plants

Cyperus natalensis

Hochst. ex C.Krauss

Cyperaceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Giant Dune Sedge

No Image.

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 *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.00 m
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, 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 -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-14. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cyperus+natalensis>

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