32 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



the ground for planting is so great, the harvesting is so diffi- 

 cult and laborious, and the yield is generally so small, that 

 the plant must be classed as one not worthy of cultivation. 



CHUFA, OR EARTH ALMOND. 



Cyperus esculentus. 



Edible Cyperus. A perennial plant, from the south of Eu- 

 Nut Bush. . 



rope. I he roots are long and fibrous, and 



produce at their extremities numerous small, rounded or ob- 

 long, jointed, pale-brown tubers, of the size of a filbert. The 

 flesh of these roots, or tubers, is of a yellowish color, tender, 

 and of a pleasant, sweet, and nut-like flavor. The leaves are 

 rush-like, about eighteen inches high, a little rough, and 

 sharply pointed. The flower-stalks are nearly of the same 

 , height as the leaves, three-cornered, hard, and leafless, with 

 the exception of five or six leaf-like bracts at the top, from the 

 midst of which are produced the spikelets of flowers, which 

 are of a pale-yellow color. 



Propagation and Culture. It is propagated by planting 

 the tubers in April or May, two inches deep, in drills two 

 feet apart, and six inches apart in the drills. They will be 

 ready for harvesting in October. In warm climates, the 

 plant, when once introduced into the garden, spreads with 

 great rapidity, and is exterminated with much difficulty. In 

 the Northern and Middle States, the tubers remaining in the 

 open ground are almost invariably destroyed by the winter. 



Use. It is cultivated for its small, almond-like tubers, 

 which, when dried, have somewhat the taste of the almond, 

 and keep a long period. They are eaten either raw or 

 roasted. 



When dried and pulverized, they are said to impart to 

 water the color and richness of milk. 



