Cyprus esculatus

It is a perennial grass-like plant producing solitary culms 10 to 90 cm tall from numerous, spreading, underground stolons. The apex of the stolons swells to form ellipsoid to globose tubers 10 to 18 mm long.The plant is sometimes cultivated commercially for its edible tuber in the warm temperate to tropical zones .

It also has a range of other local uses, for food, medicine, and craft material. Tuber - raw, cooked or dried and ground into a powder. They are also used in confectionery.A delicious nut-like flavor but rather chewy and with a tough skin. They taste best when dried. The tubers are said to be aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic. In Ayurvedic medicine, they are used in the treatment of flatulence, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, debility and excessive thirst.