Cyperus rotundus L.

Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus) is a herb up to 10-30 cm tall of the Cyperaceae family, native to Africa, South Asia, and Europe, now distributed on nearly every continent thanks to its high adaptability. Although considered a nuisance weed, nutgrass is an important plant in Indian and Chinese medicine. Nutgrass is traditionally believed to address hypertension, tumors, and digestive disorders.

This plant grows well at temperatures of 24-32°C, with rainfall of 500-3,000 mm/year, at elevations up to 800 m above sea level, pH 5.5-7, and prefers moist sandy loam soil types.

• Root fibrous, many-branched, has sub-branches, finely hairy. Grows elongated and spreads in the soil.
• Tuber blackish in color, inner part reddish-white.
• Stem triangular-shaped, green in color.
• Leaves ribbon-shaped, glossy green in color, located at the stem base.
• Flowers greenish-brown in color, compound forming an umbrella, spike-shaped and located at the base tip.
• Seeds consist of 10-40 spikelets, alternating slightly overlapping and pressed close to the axis, seed ovate and flat shaped, 3 mm long, reddish-brown in color.

Propagated by stolons or runners, namely extensions of the main stem.

Alkaloid, tannin, flavonoid, sterol, phenolic acid, ascorbic acid, and essential oil (cyperene, humulene, β-selinene, zierone).

Addresses hypertension, allergies, tumors, wounds, boils, stomach ache, diarrhea, ulcers, sore throat, cough, bleeding, malaria, viral and fungal infections, diabetes, analgesic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory.

Information not yet available.

Mota (Madura), Karelawai (Sumba), Rukut teki wuta (Maluku), Bulili manggasa buai (Sulawesi).