Cyperus ustulatus
A.Rich.
Cyperaceae
Mariscus ustulatus (A.Rich.) C.B.Clarke
Common Name:
General Information
Cyperus ustulatus is a robust, grass-like, perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it produces a cluster of culms around 60 - 120cm tall, occasionally to 200cm[
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
New Zealand - North, South and Kermadec Islands.
Habitat
Lowland near rivers and in damp ground, especially near the coast[
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 1.20 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Cyperus ustulatus is native to the warm temperate climate of New Zealand. It can tolerate some frost and it is said that at least some of its forms may be hardy in temperate climates such as Britain[
162- Title
- Ornamental Grasses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grounds. R.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-7470-1219-9
- Description
- Cultivation details of many of the grasses and bamboos. Well illustrated.
].
Prefers a moist sandy loam[
95- Title
- Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Saunders. C. F.
- Publisher
- Dover Publications
- Year
- 1976
- ISBN
- 0-486-23310-3
- Description
- Useful wild plants of America. A pocket guide.
,
117- Title
- The Book of Edible Nuts.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rosengarten. jnr. F.
- Publisher
- Walker & Co.
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0802707699
- Description
- A very readable and comprehensive guide. Well illustrated.
].
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
The pith of the stems is boiled with water, strained and then bottled. It is used in North Auckland districts as a treatment for kidney troubles[
].
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant has an extensive root system and is used for binding sand dunes[
153- Title
- Economic Native Plants of New Zealand.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-19-558229-2
- Description
- An interesting and readable book on the useful plants of New Zealand.
].
Other Uses
The leaves, stripped of their outside edges, are used for making mats, hats and baskets[
178- Title
- Chinese Materia Medica.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stuart. Rev. G. A.
- Publisher
- Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
- Year
- 1911
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
,
].
The leaves are used for the outer thatch of houses[
153- Title
- Economic Native Plants of New Zealand.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-19-558229-2
- Description
- An interesting and readable book on the useful plants of New Zealand.
,
].
Propagation
Seed - surface sow in the spring and keep the compost moist[
164- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 18°c[
164- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on for their first winter in a greenhouse and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. If dividing in the autumn, it is probably better to overwinter the divisions in pots in a greenhouse.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
