Nut Grass, Purple Nutsedge

Where does Nut Grass grow?

Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, American Samoa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Europe, Fiji, France, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uruguay, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: It is mostly regarded as a serious weed in gardens in the tropical lowlands. There are 550 Cyperus species. It is used in medicine.

Status: The roots are chewed especially by children.

Growing Nut Grass, Purple Nutsedge

Cultivation: Plants are grown by seed or tuberous rhizomes. Seeds often do not grow. Rhizomes and tubers are more common methods of reproduction.

Edible Uses: CAUTION: All parts of the plant can contain poisonous cyanide (the bitter taste) so must be well heated before eating. The tubers are eaten fresh. They are also roasted or boiled and can be dried and made into flour. The bases of the culms are cooked and eaten. The rhizomes are cut into small pieces and roasted.

Nutrition Info

Nut Grass, Purple Nutsedge Photos

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