Cyperus longus L.

Spice Detail In the field Rhizome

Family: CYPERACEAE

Genus: Cyperus

Catalan common name: Castanyola. Jonça de cordellar. Serrana de fulla llarga.

Spanish common name: Juncia olorosa.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Some regions

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte. Hydrophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches).

Characteristics: An herbaceous plant that lives around reservoirs, were it extends its thick rhizome through the flooded sediment, its stem and leaves protruding above water. The green stems reach up to a metre and a half in height, leaves are long and are up to a centimetre in width. At the very top of the stem the inflorescence, formed by long radii bearing brown spicules up to 2,5 cm long. The bracteal leaves much larger than the petal radii, are very characteristic of this species. Lives in close association with other Ciperacae and can be confused with Scirpus maritimus, for example, although the spicules of Cyperus longus are compressed while those of the other are not. The other species of the same genus are much smaller and are not usually aquatic. Flowers from May until Summer.