Cyperus laevigatus

Description:

Makaloa or Smooth flatsedgeCyperaceaeIndigenous to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated; Molokai origin)Makaloa is found elsewhere in Polynesia, but only early Hawaiians used them to plait mats. Medicinally, the stalks were crushed to a fine powder and used to treat deep cuts, boils, skin ulcers and other skin disorders or taken as a snuff for head colds. Flower and stalk ashes mixed with kukui nut juice was rubbed on tongue for general debility.NPH00004nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Cyperus_laevigatus