Cyperus longus - Galingale

Family:	Cyperaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Width:	2
Synonyms:
Range:	Britain and the Mediterranean region north to Lake Geneva.

Cyperus longus (Galingale) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m and a width of 2m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 7.
Galingale will flower in February to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Galingale will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Galingale prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Galingale should not be planted in shady areas.

By water in ditches and marshy places[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist sandy loam[95, 117]. Succeeds in any good garden soil so long as it does not dry out[162], it also grows well in up to 30cm of water[200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], though it can spread freely at the roots when well-suited[233]. Galingale was one of the favourite spices of the medieval kitchen and was an ingredient of 'pokerounce', a kind of medieval cinnamon toast[183]. It is rarely used at present. Both the root and the stem have a sweet moss-like perfume, resembling that of the violet but not so pure. The aroma becomes more fragrant with age[245].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Tuber - used as a spice in soups, pies and sweets[5, 183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The root is an aromatic tonic[4]. It was at one time considered to be a good stomachic and useful in the first stages of dropsy, but it has now fallen into disuse[4, 238].

• Aromatic - Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in the spring and keep the compost moist[164]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 18°c[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on for their first winter in a greenhouse and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Division is simple at almost any time of the year, so long as the roots are not allowed to become dry. Plant them out straight into their permanent positions.

Scented parts of the plants

Root : CrushedDriedStem : CrushedDried

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used in basketry and for weaving hats, matting etc[100]. The root and stem have the scent of violets and are used in perfumery[4, 46, 61, 245]. The aroma becomes more pronounced when the root has been dried and left to age[245]. A fibre obtained from the plant is used in paper making[100].

• Basketry - Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
• Essential - Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
• Paper - Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
• Weaving - Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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