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.Closeupwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5188017186/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.NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Eleocharis_obtusa
2011-02-06 Vienna XXII. district/ Lower Austria, district Gnserndorf (national park, right at the district border; 150 m AMSL).The reed belt of Lobau bayous mostly hides those very typical Carex growths (referred to as "Seggenried" in German), which are especially beautiful at low-water levels, like is the case here.
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.NPH00004nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Schoenoplectiella_junc...
Coast sedgeCyperaceae (Sedge family)Native from Californias Central Coast to British Columbia.Photo taken in British Columbia, CanadaThe shiny dark brown fruits (perigynia enclosing achenes) are eaten by many grassland birds and animals.Coast sedge is also known as slough sedge. The word slough was used in the past in a derogatory sense to describe muddy and wet regions that required improved drainage and implied a degraded condition. We now use words like wetland more often to describe the wetter marshy areas formerly known as sloughs.The leaves were gathered and used for both the wrapping and twining in grass baskets that are still made by Canadian Indians on Vancouver Island. (Stevens and Hoag 2006) The leaves are so sharp it is reported that Hesquiat men in British Columbia used them for shaving. (Moerman 2003)The plants are used for erosion control and streambank stabilization. (Stevens and Hoag 2006)www.sonoma.edu/preserves/prairie/prairie_desc/grasses_rus...
field image of Carex stricta COMMON TUSSOCK SEDGE at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve - showing the distinctive tussock, or small mound of dirt, that give this species its common name