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
Kaluh or Saltmarsh bulrushCyperaceae (Sedge family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (All the main islands except Lnai and Kahoolawe)Oahu (Cultivated)Flowers pictured above.Seed headwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5187367067/in/photostream/Habitwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5187366567/in/photostream/This indigenous sedge is not known to be used by early settlers in the Hawaiian Islands. However, in other parts of the world the seeds were used as a food source and the leaves were used in making baskets, mats, sandals, and clothing.EtymologyBolboschoenus is from the Greek bolbos, swelling or bulb, and schoinos, rush in reference to the ligneous (woody) tubers at the culm (aerial part of the plant) bases.The specific epithet martinus, growing by the sea, is in reference to its brackish-freshwater habitat.NPH00008nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bolboschoenus_maritimus