Makaloa or Smooth flatsedgeCyperaceaeIndigenous to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated; Molokai origin)Makaloa is found elsewhere in Polynesia, but only early Hawaiians used them to plait mats. (read more about these beautiful mats at the link below)Medicinally, the stalks were crushed to a fine powder and used to treat deep cuts, boils, skin ulcers and other skin disorders or taken as a snuff for head colds. Flower and stalk ashes mixed with kukui nut juice was rubbed on tongue for general debility.NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Cyperus_laevigatus
close up image of Carex bicknellii COPPER-SHOULDERED OVAL SEDGE at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve - a single flower spike made up of sever spikelets at full bloom showing whitish anthers.This species is featured in the book, Graceful Splendor: Grasses of the Tallgrass Prairie. Contact frank@black-sweater-art.com for more information.