Herb latin name: Scirpus affinis


Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)



Edible parts of Scirpus affinis:

Root - raw or cooked. Rich in starch.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
60 cm
(2 feet)

Habitat of the herb:

Wet and boggy more or less saline places.

Other uses of Scirpus affinis:

The plant is used to make roofs and walls of temporary shelters, it is also used as an insulation in walls etc and for weaving such things as mats.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in 3cm of water. Only just cover the seed with soil. The seed usually germinates fairly quickly. Prick out the plants when large enough to handle and plant out in their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Cultivation of Scirpus affinis:

Wet and boggy more or less saline places.

Medicinal use of the herb:

None known

Known hazards of Scirpus affinis:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.