Cyperus papyrus L.
Summary
Papirus (Cyperus papyrus) is a herb up to 5 meters tall from the Cyperaceae family that originates from Africa and the Mediterranean, used by Egyptians since 2400 BC for paper, medicine, and shelter. Its pith can be consumed as food, while its stem is processed into the legendary papyrus paper. Burned papyrus ash is traditionally used to treat eye diseases and heal wounds.
Agroecology
Papyrus can be found growing well in swamps and along lake and river edges, at elevations from sea level up to 2,500 m asl. Its growth requires environmental conditions with annual rainfall of 100-4,200 mm, annual temperatures ranging between 20-30 °C and soil acidity (pH) of 6.0-8.5. Prefers a full-sun position but tolerates partial shade, as well as fertile, wet soil conditions, or shallow water up to a depth of 30 cm.
Morphology
- Roots strong, producing a short rhizome covered with thick, spreading black scales.
- Stem upright, sturdy, triangular in shape (angles very rounded, especially at the base), with a green, fibrous outer skin, smooth surface. The inner part of the stem is white-pale brown, with prominent vascular bundles.
- Leaves reduced, sheathing and confined to the base of the stem for about 50 cm. Leaves in 3 vertical rows.
- Flowers compound, umbrella-shaped (umbel). Florets scale-like, brown, lanceolate, curling when dried. There are 3 stamens with fine, elongated filaments. Terminal inflorescence. Involucral bracts lanceolate, pale brown, never green. Inflorescence branches numbering 50-360 per stem.
- Fruit ovate, trigonous nut, gray, surface nearly smooth.
- Seeds small, elliptical-oblong, brown.
Cultivation
Propagation is done generatively (seeds) and vegetatively (rhizome cuttings).
Chemical Content
Alkaloids tyramine, octopamine, essential oil (caryophyllene oxide, cyperene, 1,8-cineole, humulene epoxide II, aristolene, and aromadendrene epoxide II).
Benefits
Treats certain eye diseases, prevents malignant boils from spreading in the mouth or elsewhere, heals wounds, cancer remedy, care for pregnant women, treats edema, female infertility, coughs, has antioxidant and skin conditioning properties.
Local Names
Siprus, Bintang air.
Traditional Recipes
The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.
1. Malignant boils to prevent spreading in the mouth or elsewhere
- Take papyrus leaves as needed.
- Burn the leaves into ash.
- Apply the ash to the boil.
2. Healing wounds
- Take papyrus leaves as needed.
- Marinate the leaves in vinegar then burn into ash.
- Apply the ash to heal wounds.
Reference Sources
- Royal Botanic Gardens. 2021. Plants of the World Online: Cyperus papyrus L. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:330934-2. 23-09-2021.
- CAB International. 2021. Invasive Species Compendium: Cyperus papyrus (papyrus). https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/17503#toPictures. 23-09-2021.
- PROTA4U. 2015. Cyperus papyrus (PROTA). https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Cyperus_papyrus_(PROTA). 23-09-2021.
- Lawal OA et al. 2016. Chemival composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from the rizones of Cyperus papyrus L. grow in South Africa. Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas, 15(3).
- Useful Tropical Plants Database. 2021. Cyperus papyrus. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cyperus+papyrus. 23-09-2021.
- Katondo JM. 2020. Traditional Uses of Cyperus Papyrus (L) and Associated Problems at Simiyu Fringing Wetland of Lake Victoria, Mwanza region, Tanzania.
- Purdue University. 1996. Center for New Crops & Plants Products: Cyperus papyrus L. https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Cyperus_papyrus.html. 23-09-2021.