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Cyperus rotundus L.

Synonym	:	Chlorocyperus rotundus (L.) Palla
Family	:	Cyperaceae
Local name	:	English - Nut grass Malayalam - Muthanga
Flowering and fruiting period	:	August-December
Distribution	:	Tropical and warm temperate regions of the world
Distribution in Kerala	:	All Districts
Habitat	:	Along banks of backwaters, bunds of paddy fields and wastelands
Uses	:	It is used for gastrointestinal spasms, stomach disorders, nausea, vomiting, intestinal parasites, food poisoning, indigestion and irritation of bowel.
Key Botanical Characters:  Erect, slender, rhizomatous perennials; rhizome stoloniferous. Leaves few, basal, 3-28 x 0.2-0.5 cm, linear, gradually acuminate; sheaths 1-7 cm long, light brownish. Inflorescence simple or compound, 2-11 cm across, primary rays 1-8; leafy bracts 2-4, usually shorter, but in some the lowest one exceeding the inflorescence. Spikelets 1-2.3 x 0.15 - 0.3 cm, linear, acute at apex, compressed, brown. Glumes 3-3.5 x 1.5-2 mm, ovate-elliptic, keeled, ferrugineous brown with pale narrow hyaline margins. Stamens 3. Stigmas long, 3. Nut 1-1.5 x 0.5 mm, obovate-oblong, trigonous, apiculate, brown.