Nagarmotha for Medicinal, Pestiferous Perennial

Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus) commonly known as Nagarmotha is found throughout India. It belongs to the family Cyperacea. The genus name Cyperus is derived from Cypeiros, which was the ancient Greek name for the genus, rotundus is Latin word for round and refers to the tuber.

1. The family comprises about 104 genera and more than 5000 species world-wide, although number vary greatly due to differing taxonomic concepts of individual researchers. The largest genus is Carex with about 2000 species world-wide, followed by Cyperus with about 550 species.

2. It is a pestiferous perennial with dark green glabrous culms, arising from underground tubers. It is actually a field known in all the Southern States as nut grass. The plant produces rhizomes, tubers, basal bulbs and fibrous roots below ground and rosettes of leaves, scapes and umbels above ground.