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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Tuber - used as a spice in soups, pies and sweets[1][2].

Unknown part

Material uses

The leaves are used in basketry and for weaving hats, matting etc[3].

The root and stem have the scent of violets and are used in perfumery[4][5][6][7]. The aroma becomes more pronounced when the root has been dried and left to age[7].

A fibre obtained from the plant is used in paper making[3].

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is an aromatic tonic[4]. It was at one time considered to be a good stomachic and useful in the first stages of dropsy, but it has now fallen into disuse[4][8].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in the spring and keep the compost moist[9]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 18°c[9]. 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. Division is simple at almost any time of the year, so long as the roots are not allowed to become dry. Plant them out straight into their permanent positions.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cyperus longus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist sandy loam[10][11]. Succeeds in any good garden soil so long as it does not dry out[12], it also grows well in up to 30cm of water[13].

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[13]. A very ornamental plant[14], though it can spread freely at the roots when well-suited[15].

Galingale was one of the favourite spices of the medieval kitchen and was an ingredient of 'pokerounce', a kind of medieval cinnamon toast[2]. It is rarely used at present. Both the root and the stem have a sweet moss-like perfume, resembling that of the violet but not so pure. The aroma becomes more fragrant with age[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cyperus longus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cyperus longus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cyperus longus
Genus
Cyperus
Family
Cyperaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Pradera5.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pradera5.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Pradera5.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Pradera5.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    "image:Pradera5.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    10. ? Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    11. ? Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. ISBN 0802707699 (1984-00-00)
    12. ? Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-1219-9 (1989-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Pradera5.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Cyperus longus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCyperaceae +
    Belongs to genusCyperus +
    Has binomial nameCyperus longus +
    Has common nameGalingale +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Root +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Unknown use +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imagePradera5.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry +, Essential +, Paper + and Weaving +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has mature width2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAromatic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imagePradera5.jpg +
    Has search namecyperus longus + and galingale +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCyperus longus +
    Has water requirementsaquatic +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Cyperus longus +, Cyperus longus +, Cyperus longus +, Cyperus longus +, Cyperus longus +, Cyperus longus +, Cyperus longus + and Cyperus longus +