Galingales, papyrus sedges, flatsedges, umbrella-sedges are the common names for the 600 species of sedges in genus Cyperus of family Cyperaceae. Cyperus species are annual or perennial plants, mostly consist of aquatic and growing in still or slow-moving water of up to 0.5 m deep. The species come in various sizes, some small species are only 5 cm tall, while others can reach 5 m in height.
Galingales have circular or triangular stems, leafless for most of their length, with the slender grass-like leaves at the base of the plant, and in a whorl at the apex of the flowering stems.The wind-pollinated greenish flowers are produced in clusters among the apical leaves. The seed is a small nutlet ( covered by a stony layer).
Papyrus Sedge (C. papyrus) is used for weaving petates (sleeping mats) and sombreros by the Yokot'an Maya of Tabasco, Mexico.
The Chufa Flatsedge (C. esculentus) has edible tubers, and are eaten as vegetables, made into sweets, or used to produce the famous horchata of the Valencia region. Horchata is a traditional beverage, made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernuts (chufas).
Most species of Cyperus are of little economic value. Some are grown as ornamental or pot plants such as the Umbrella Papyrus (C. alternifolius).
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