Rush family
Description
A large family of monocotyledonous herbs of grass-like habit, occurring mostly in wet places (Cyperaceae 1). They resemble grasses superficially, but the stems are usually triangular and solid, with leaves borne in three ranks, and flowers borne in the axil of a single bract. The inconspicuous flowers are borne in spikes, uni- or bisexual, the perianth being hairy or scaly. Usually there are 3 stamens and a superior ovary. The fruit is a nut.
There are about 100 genera.
Use
Stems are used for hats, mats, seats, papyrus paper and packing material (Cyperaceae 2). Some species have edible tubers.
Described species
Cyperus papyrus, papyrus
Cyperus esculentus, tiger nut, see Cyperus papyrus
Eleocharis tuberosus, Chinese water chestnut, see Cyperus papyrus
Scirpus totara, rush
Scirpus lacustris subsp. lacustris, chairmaker’s rush, see Scirpus totara