[syn. Mariscus javanicus]Polynesian Names: Ahuawa (Hawaii); Ehuawa (Hawaii), Mahele (Uvea); Mhelehele (Tonga); Mselehele (Futuna); Mauku tatau tai (Cook Islands); Mou haari (Society Islands); Mouku (Marquesas); Mouu (Austral Islands, Marquesas); Selesele (Samoa) CyperaceaeIndigenous to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians pounded stems of ahuawa until they were only fibers and used them as strainers for awa or niu (coconut), and as cordage. Fibers soaked for a few hours to free pulp, dried in the sun for a day or two, and then could be used. The fibers were very durable lasting two years or more. The cordage was used for cords (hwele) or nets (kk puupuu) designed to carry umeke (food or water containers).The stringy fibers were also made into brushes to paint color onto tapa.The leaves and seed/fruit were used in lei.NPH00009nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Cyperus_javanicus
Mauu akiaki, Button sedge, or Tropical fimbry CyperaceaeIndigenous to the Hawaiian IslandsLie Point, OahuSeedhead shown. Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola sericea) in the background.Habitwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/4839126769/in/photolist-...Mauu akiaki is common on sandy beaches and in shallow sand or silt on and among rocks and cracks in lava on all the main islands, except Kahoolawe, and in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands or Papahnaumokukea only on Kure and Midway atolls and Laysan.Hawaiian NamesMauu akiaki is a Niihau name and generally used by the locals. Mauu means grass, while akiaki refers to certain varieties of grass, such as mnienie akiaki or Beach dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) and akiaki haole also known as Buffalo grass or St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), a common turfgrass used for lawns in Hawaii.EtymologyThe generic name Fimbristylis is derived from the Latin fimbria, thread or fringe, and the Greek stylos, pillar or column, in reference to the fimbriate style of some members of this genus.The specific epithet cymosa is Latin for "full of shoots."The subspecific name umbello-capitata is derived from the Latin umbello (umbrella), shade or parasol, and capitatus, head, in reference to the umbrella-like or knobby seed head of this species.NPH00006nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Fimbristylis_cymosa_um...
Schoenus minutulusThis plant has the male parts of the flower with yellow pollen and the female parts - 3 long white fluffy styles, all within the flower head. Growing to approx 100 mm in laterite pebble soil. Photo: Jean3 March 2020: ID Schoenus minutulus Thanks Michael Hislop WA Herbarium
field image of Carex sartwellii RUNNING MARSH SEDGE at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve - showing a stand of specimens at seed maturity; note the standing water in the background
close up image of Carex tetanica COMMON STIFF SEDGE at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve - showing a single specimen at bloom; note the anthers on the upper male spike dying back at the low end of the spike, ready to disperse pollen in the middle area of the spike, and just emerging at the tip of the spike. This species is featured in the book, Graceful Splendor: Grasses of the Tallgrass Prairie. Contact frank@black-sweater-art.com for more information.
Kohekohe or Blunt spikerushCyperaceae (Sedge family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Hawaii)Oahu (Cultivated)Kohekohe (Eleocharis obtusa) is one of the few native rushes in the Hawaiian Islands. A robust variety (E. obtusa var. gigantea) with larger floral features is rare.Another view of kohekohewww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5188017050/in/photostream/Medicinally, early Hawaiians used kohekohe (Eleocharis spp.) to treat puupuu wela (unknown?), ph (abscess, burst sore, ulcer), and aai (spreading sores). The plants were processed by cooking and then used to wash affected areas.EtymologyThe genus name Eleocharis comes from Greek helos, "of the marsh or meadow," and charis, "grace, favor, or loveliness."The specific epithet obtusa is from the Latin obtuse or blunt in reference to the blunt seed head of this species.NPH00002nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Eleocharis_obtusa
Kaluh or Rock bulrush[syn. Schoenoplectus juncoides]Cyperaceae (Cyperus family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai; Kohala Mountains, Hawaii Island)Oahu (Cultivated)EtymologyThe generic name Schoenoplectiella is from the Greek schoinos, rush, and plektos, plaited or twisted. The suffix -iella denotes small or duminutive, perhaps because it resembles a small Schoenoplectus.The specific epithet juncoides, resembling Juncus, a non-native rush in the Juncaceae or Rush family.NPH00002nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Schoenoplectiella_junc...
close up image of Carex stricta COMMON TUSSOCK SEDGE at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve - showing a small stand at just after bloom; the white on the upper male spikes are filaments left after the anthers have dropped off; the lower female spikes look like miniature heads of corn