Jointed flatsedge (Cyperus articulatus) is a perennial, rush-like sedge that grows in or beside fresh water in tropical and subtropical regions. It is grown mainly for its fragrant roots and rhizomes, and is aquatic in habit, so keep its roots wet.
Family
Cyperaceae (Cyper family)
Grows as
Grass, Aquatic, Perennial
Light
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Keep the roots constantly wet or submerged in shallow water.
Soil
Heavy, moist mud or wet loam; a pond margin or bog-type mix.
Temperature
20–32 °C; protect below 10 °C.
How easy
Easy
Edible
Yes, some parts
Native range
Tropics & Subtropics
Climate
subtropical
About
Cyperus articulatus is an aromatic species of sedge known by the common names jointed flatsedge and priprioca. It has also been known as Guinea rush or adrue. It grows as a perennial herb. It grows in water or near it in rivers, streams, lakes, and swamps with a hyperhydrate (emergent aquatic) or possibly tenagophyte (submerged juvenile and terrestrial adult) growth pattern. It is widespread across tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, southern Asia, northern Australia, the southeastern United States, the West Indies, and Latin America. While it is closely related to highly invasive sedges such as purple nut sedge (Cyperus rotundus), priprioca is less prolific and competitive than its relative.
Uses
Priprioca is related to other nut sedges (such as tigernut), and its roots release a light, woody, and spicy fragrance with floral notes. It is one of the traditional spices of the Amazon region, used medicinally in local tradition, and its reddish essential oil is used commercially both by the cosmetic industry, and increasingly as a flavoring for food.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Cyperus articulatus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.