Cyperus odoratus aka Calingale

Cyperus odoratus is a sedge that looks like grass. It belongs to the Cyperaceae family. People call it fragrant flatsedge or rusty flatsedge. It lives for one year or a few years. Its native range spans the Americas and warm Old World regions. It reaches the Caucasus and southern Canada. It grows across Africa, Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands. Wild plants grow in marshes and wet rice fields. They also grow by rivers. Most records come from low ground. Some come from high sites.

Plants grow fast and stand upright. Garden accounts give heights of about 1–3.3 feet [0.3–1 metre]. One gives a spread of 0.7 feet [0.2 metres]. Plant records note heights up to 3.9 feet [1.2 metres]. Stout stems, called culms, tend to grow one at a time. They rise from a short rhizome, an underground stem. Roots with fine fibres grow beneath it. Crushed plant parts give off a scent. This helps explain the common name. Flat spikelets form rows in the flower heads. Wind carries the pollen. Seeds ripen in the warm months.

This sedge needs sun and will not grow in shade. It suits moist or wet ground, even soil soaked through. It grows in sand, loam, and clay. Soil can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. It grows well in warmth. PFAF gives approximate USDA zones of 6–10. Dry soil can cause stress. The source notes few other problems with growth. Growers can use seeds or split the rhizomes. It can become a weed. Keep this in mind when choosing where to plant it.

Its upright stems can add height to a marsh garden. Some projects use it to help restore habitats. It gives insects that live in water and birds habitat. In some places, people grow it in home yards. People weave small mats from wild plants. These uses go with its role as a wetland plant. The sources name no specific pests or diseases.

PFAF lists the roots and seeds as safe to eat. Roots hold starch; the small seeds serve as grain-like food. Roasting can make them taste better. Cook them to cut risks from microbes, or tiny germs. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards. This does not prove it is safe for pets. People also gather it for use in folk medicine. Reported uses aim to boost urine flow and bring calm. Early studies test whether it fights microbes and eases pain. These reports do not prove home treatments work or are safe.