SecretGarden of SeriPinang : Graminoids

Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid ( gasss-like ) monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges.   The family consists of some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera.

Cyperaceae are widely distributed, with center of diversity for the group occurring in tropical Asia and tropical South America.  Sedges may be found growing in almost all environments, from wetlands to poor soils.

Cyperus compressus

Cyperus mindorensis 

Juncaceae are also a family of graminoid ( gasss-like ) monocotyledonous flowering plants known as rushes.   The family consists of some 464 known species described in about 8 genera.

Rushes often grow on infertile soils in a wide range of moisture conditions.

Juncus tenuis

Green Product : String - Cyperus tegetiformis 咸草

Angiosperms - Monocots - Commelinids - Poales -Cyperaceae

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Synonyms : Chlorocyperus malacensis, Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius, Cyperus malaccensis ssp.monophyllus

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Common Name : Short-leaved Malacca Galingale, Salt-water grass, Chinese matgrass, 咸草, 鹹水草, 短葉茳芏, 蒲草, 野席草, 席草仔, shishito (Japanese)

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Distribution : Persian Gulf, India, S.China, N.Australia, Polynesia, S.E.Asia

Habitat : Margins of swamps and in salt marshes

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Biology Characteristics :

Perennial.

Stem 4-6 mm in diameter, sharply trigonous.

Rhizome with short stolons.

Flowers are hermaphrodite.

It prefers acid, neutral and basic soil, and can grow in saline soil. It cannot grow in the shades.

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Economic Importance :

Before the use of polypropylene raffia string & plastic bags, dried stalks were used for tying goods in morning markets and groceries stores.

Today, it is still used for tying zongzi.

Dried stalks were used for weaving mats (龍鳳草蓆), straw hats, basket, etc

Used in Chinese medicine.

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