Long Cyperus. Round Cyperus.
Long Cyperus.
Cyperus longus.
A WILD plant in our marshes, fens, and other damp places. It is a foot and half high. The leaves are a foot long or more, narrow, grassy, and of a bright green colour, flat, and sharp at the ends. The stalk is triangular and green; there are no leaves on it, except two or three small ones at the top, from which there rises a number of small tufts or spikes of flowers. These are brown, light, chaffy, and in all respects like those of the other water grasses.
The root is used. It is long and brown, and when dried, is of a pleasant smell, and aromatic warm taste. It should be taken up in spring. It is good against pains in the head, and it promotes urine.
Round Cyperus.
Cyperus rotundus.
A PLANT in many respects resembling the other, but a native of the warmer countries. It grows two feet high. The leaves are very numerous, a foot and a half long, narrow, of a pale green colour sharp at the point, and ribbed all along like those of grass. The stalk is triangular, and the edges are sharp; it is firm, upright, and often purplish, especially towards the bottom. The flowers are chaffy, and they grow from the top of the stalk, with several small and short leaves set under them; they are brown and light. The root is composed of a great quantity of black fibres, to which there grows at certain distances roundish lumps. These are the only parts used in medicine, Our druggists keep them. They are light, and of a pleasant smell, and warm spicy taste.
They are good in all nervous disorders. They are best taken in infusion, but as the virtues are much the same with the other, that is best, because it may be had fresher.
