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Cyperus odoratus - L.

Common Name

Fragrant or rusty flatsedge

Family

Cyperaceae

USDA hardiness

6-10

Known Hazards

Cook to reduce microbial risk.

Habitats

A wetland-dependent species found throughout tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions of the world. It thrives in high-moisture environments and is frequently found in the following habitats: Wetland Habitats: Marshes, swamps, tidal marshes, and shores of rivers or lakes. Wet or Muddy Sites: Ditches, low fields, and wet pastures. Disturbed Areas: It readily colonizes disturbed and altered sites, including roadside ditches and muddy areas. Water Types: It can grow in fresh or slightly brackish (salt) water.

Range

Widely distributed in wetlands across the Americas. The native range of this species is New World, Tropical & Subtropical Old World to Caucasus.

Edibility Rating

(3 of 5)

Other Uses

(2 of 5)

Weed Potential

Yes

Medicinal Rating

(3 of 5)

Care (info)

Fully Hardy

Moist Soil

Wet Soil

Full sun


Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

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Summary

Fragrant flatsedge is notable for its aromatic tissues and edible roots and seeds. It thrives in wetlands and disturbed soils.

Physical Characteristics

Cyperus odoratus is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Diclidium odoratum (L.) Schrad. ex Nees. Papyrus odorata (L.) Willd. Papyrus odorata (L.) Kunth. Torulinium odoratum (L.) S.S.Hooper .

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Both seeds and roots are edible [2-3]. Edible Uses & Rating: Moderate to good depending on availability [2-3]. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Roots are starchy with earthy notes; seeds resemble small grains. Roasting enhances palatability [2-3]. Seasonality (Phenology): Seeds mature in warm months; roots are harvestable most of the year. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): Cook to reduce microbial risk [2-3]. Harvest & Processing Workflow: Collect seeds once dry; dig roots during dormancy. Cultivar/Selection Notes: No improved selections. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Similar to other flatsedges; scent may aid recognition. Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary: Likely gathered where abundant, though documentation is limited [2-3].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Cyperus odoratus (commonly known as fragrant flatsedge or rust flatsedge) has several documented medicinal uses in traditional, folk, and preliminary pharmacological studies. It is used in traditional medicine for its sedative and diuretic properties and for the treatment of various infections. Medicinal Uses and Pharmacological Activities: Antibacterial & Antifungal: Studies indicate that C. odoratus has potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. Analgesic & Antioxidant: Research shows the plant possesses significant pain-relieving (analgesic) and antioxidant properties. Anthelmintic: It has been shown to have anthelmintic activity and is used to treat intestinal parasitic infections. Cytotoxic Activity: Extracts have demonstrated efficacy in studies against cancer cell lines (e.g., human hepatocellular carcinoma) and have the potential to inhibit cell proliferation. Traditional Uses: Wound Care & Inflammation: It is used in folk medicine, particularly in Bangladesh, to treat wounds, tumors, and piles. Urinary/Uterine Health: In some regions, infusions of the roots are used for urinary infections and uterine fibroids. Digestive & Other: It is used to relieve stomach aches, and in some contexts, as an aphrodisiac. Scientific Studies: Although these traditional uses are commonly used, scientific evidence to fully validate them in clinical trials remains limited, with many studies being in vitro or animal-based. It has been suggested as a "herbal switch plant" due to its rich chemical composition of secondary metabolites, such as sesquiterpenes. Note: It is often confused with its close relative, Cyperus rotundus (Nutgrass), which is more commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for similar, but more extensively researched, conditions.

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Occasionally used in habitat restoration. Provides habitat for aquatic insects and birds.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A versatile wetland sedge offering multiple edible parts. Growing Conditions: Prefers saturated soils and warm climates. Habitat & Range: Widely distributed in wetlands across the Americas. Size & Landscape Performance: Tall and architectural in marsh gardens. Cultivation (Horticulture): Occasionally used in habitat restoration. Pests & Problems: Few issues beyond drought stress. Identification & Habit: Flattened spikelets arranged in rows; aromatic tissues when crushed. Pollinators: Wind-pollinated. Plant Name: Fragrant Flatsedge. Family: Cyperaceae. Genus: Cyperus. Common Names: Rusty flatsedge. USDA Hardiness Zones: Approximately 6–10. Height/Spread: 30–100 cm tall.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Plant Propagation

Seeds and rhizomes.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Fragrant Flatsedge. Flatsedge.

Native Range

US. USA. Alabama, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Arizona, Arkansas, Aruba, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Borneo, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, California, Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Central American Pacific Is., Chile Central, China Southeast, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Colombia, Congo, Connecticut, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Delaware, District of Columbia, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Florida, French Guiana, Gabon, Galápagos, Georgia, Ghana, Gilbert Is., Guatemala, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Illinois, India, Indiana, Iowa, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jawa, Kansas, Kazan-retto, Kentucky, Korea, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Louisiana, Madagascar, Maine, Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Maryland, Massachusetts, Mauritania, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, Netherlands Antilles, New Guinea, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Nigeria, North Carolina, North Caucasus, North Dakota, Ogasawara-shoto, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Panamá, Paraguay, Pennsylvania, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Queensland, Québec, Rhode I., Samoa, Senegal, South Carolina, South Dakota, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Suriname, Taiwan, Tennessee, Texas, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Transcaucasus, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Wallis-Futuna Is., Washington, West Virginia, Windward Is., Wisconsin

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Can naturalize readily in wet soils.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Cyperus aristatus	Bearded nutsedge	Perennial	0.5	6-10		LM	N	MWe	2	0	2
Cyperus articulatus	Jointed flatsedge, Priprioca, Piripiri	Perennial	1.8	10-12	F	LMH	N	MWeWa	1	4	2
Cyperus cephalotes	Bhada, Flat Sedges, Nut Sedges or Umbrella Sedge.	Perennial	0.3	10-12	F	LMH	N	WeWa	0	1	2
Cyperus distans	Slender Cyperus, Piedmont flatsedge	Perennial	0.5	0-0		LM	N	MWe	1	1	2
Cyperus erythrorhizos	Redroot Flatsedge	Annual	0.8	4-10	F	LMH	SN	MWe	2	0	2
Cyperus esculentus	Tiger Nut, Yellow nutsedge, Nut Grass	Perennial	0.9	5-10	F	LMH	N	MWe	4	2	3
Cyperus fendlerianus	Fendler's Flatsedge	Perennial	0.7	5-9	F	LM	N	MWe	2	0	2
Cyperus giganteus	Piripiri, Mexican Papyrus	Perennial	1.5	9-11	F	LMH	N	WeWa	0	2	3
Cyperus longus	Galingale	Perennial	1.2	6-9	F	LMH	N	MWeWa	2	1	3
Cyperus papyrus	Papyrus. Papyrus sedge	Perennial	5.0	9-12	F	LMH	N	WeWa	2	2	2
Cyperus rotundus	Purple Nutsedge	Perennial	0.6	7-11		LM	N	MWe	3	3	2
Cyperus schweinitzii	Flatsedge, Schweinitz's flatsedge	Perennial	0.8	0-0		LM	N	MWe	2	0	2
Cyperus setigerus	Lean flatsedge	Perennial	1.0	0-0		LM	N	MWe	2	0	2
Cyperus tegetiformis		Perennial	0.0	-		LM	N	MWe	0	0	2
Cyperus textilis	Flat sedge, Basket grass,	Perennial	1.5	9-12	F	LMH	FSN	MWeWa	0	0	4
Cyperus ustulatus		Perennial	1.2	-		LM	N	MWe	0	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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