Cyperus bulbosus facts for kids

Cyperus bulbosus is a type of plant called a sedge. It grows in many parts of the world, including Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. In Australia, people often call it the bush onion or wild onion. But don't be fooled! It's not actually related to the onions you eat from the grocery store.

Quick facts for kids Cyperus bulbosus
Scientific classification
Genus:	Cyperus
Species:	bulbosus

What is the Bush Onion?

This plant is a special part of bushfood in Australia. Bushfood refers to traditional foods eaten by Aboriginal peoples. However, in other places, Cyperus bulbosus can be seen as a weed in farms.

How Does it Grow?

The bush onion is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It has fine, grassy leaves and stems that are shaped like triangles. These stems are called culms.

The plant also grows small, round parts underground called tubers. These tubers are like tiny potatoes. They form on short underground stems called stolons. The plant's flowers are usually reddish-brown and grow in clusters. They eventually produce small, three-sided seeds.

A Special Food and Story

The small tubers of the bush onion are a traditional food for Aboriginal peoples. They dig them up from creek banks, especially when the plant's leaves have dried out. The outer skin of the tuber can also be eaten. People eat them raw or cook them in hot earth near a fire.

In the Arrernte language, spoken in Central Australia, the bush onion is called merne yalke. In the nearby Kaytetye language, it's known as erreyakwerra.

Some Kaytetye women, especially from the Kwerrimpe group, have a special connection to the bush onion. They have a bush onion dreaming. This means they have important stories about how the bush onion came to be. These stories are also linked to the origins of the Kaytetye people and their language. Because of this, they are allowed to share these stories and create art about the bush onion. Famous artists like Nora Andy Napaltjarri and her sister Ada Andy Napaltjarri have painted about the bush onion dreaming.

Is it a Weed?

While the bush onion is a valuable food in Australia, it can be a problem elsewhere. Outside of Australia, it is often considered an agricultural pest. For example, it can grow as a weed in rice fields, making it harder for farmers to grow their crops.