Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)

Family: Cyperaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Cyperus rotundus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from March to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour when freshly harvested, said to resemble 'Vick's VapoRub', the tubers become milder if they are allowed to dry. — Tuber - raw or cooked.; A very strong flavour when freshly harvested, said to resemble 'Vick's VapoRub', the tubers become milder if they are allowed to dry.; A pleasant nutty flavour according to another report whilst another says that the roots are very unpalatable raw and a little better but still not very palatable when cooked.; The dried roots can be ground into a powder and used as a cereal.

Habitat & North American Range

Roadsides, sandy fields and cultivated ground in Eastern North America. Plants are usually only found in damp places. (Zone 7)