Botany
Tufted, glabrous plant, growing to a height of 10-70 cms. Leaves are short and long, 2 to 5 mm wide. Umbels are 3 to 30 cm in diameter, the rays long and short, few to many. Spikes are loosely spicate. Spikelets are numerous, yellow or brown, 3 to 10 mm long. Glumes are 6 to 20, obovate, 1.2 mm long, 3- to 5-angled.

Distribution
A very common paddy weed in open, wet places.

Chemical constituents and characteristics
Tonic, stimulant, stomachic and astringent.

Parts utilized
Tubers, leaves.

Uses
Folkloric
Decoction of ground tubers used for fevers.
Among the Mundas ot Chota Nagpur, tuber is ground together with Cyperus rotundus and taken for fever.
In India, plant is considered tonic, stimulant, stomachic and astringent.

Studies
• Larvicidal / Mosquito Control: Study of leaves of six Cyperus species of varying ages were tested on the larvae of yellow fever mosquito. Only Cyperus iria was found to have significant levels of JH III (juvenile hormone III) and suggests a potential for a safe, inexpensive and readily available larvicidal.

Availability
Wild-crafted.