Cyperus bulbosus – Nalgoo/Bush Onion (seed)

Description

Cyperus bulbosus, family Cyperaceae (a family of graminoid or grass like, monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges), is found in parts of Africa, Australia and Asia. Its habitat is typically notophyll vine forest, eucalypt woodland or chenopod shrubland. Within Australia, the plant has been documented throughout Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and large proportions of inland/central Australia. Beyond these regions, it is also known to grow in Cape York Peninsula QLD, North East QLT and Central East Queensland. Due to invasive couch and buffel grass, Cyperus bulbosus numbers are known to be declining, particularly in central Australia, with reports that they may face eventual extinction.

Its name in the Arrernte language of Central Australia is merne yalke. In a neighbouring language, Kaytetye, it is called erreyakwerra. Some Kaytetye, the Kwerrimpe women, have a bush onion dreaming which involves the bush onion and the origins of the Kaytetye people and language. This means they have been given stories of the origins of the bush onion, and are entitled to tell these stories and paint about them. Taken from the ALA website.

The small tubers which form on short stolons are a traditional bush tucker food for Australian Aboriginal peoples. They are dug up on creek banks when the grass of the onion has dried out. The husk can also be eaten. They are eaten raw or cooked in the hot earth by the fire and are said to have a “a pleasant nutty taste”. Cyperus bulbosus closely resembles the weed Nutgrass (Cypress rotundus) but bears small, spindle shaped tubers 1-1.5cm long, with a thin papery coating that can rubbed/burnt off.

Care and Cultivation of Cyperus bulbosus

Cyperus bulbosus tubers can be planted or stored in a cool dry position until planting. I have found that it is best to plant 2-5cm deep in a very well drained mix, with minimal organic material that is absorbent, like coco peat. I use a blend of coarse river sand, pumice, charcoal and perlite. It is advisable to use smaller sized material that can be sieved out when harvesting, making harvest of tubers much easier. Winter/colder month/drought dormant. I find in the subtropics that it Weill grow from late spring to early autumn before the leaves brown off and dieback. Once this happens place then undercover and protected from rain and harvest when fully dry, of leave until the next growing season.

3 tubers (Central Australian provenance)

NOT TO WA/TAS