Eleocharis obtusa

Description:

Kohekohe or Blunt spikerushCyperaceae (Sedge family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Hawaii)Oahu (Cultivated)Kohekohe (Eleocharis obtusa) is one of the few native rushes in the Hawaiian Islands. A robust variety (E. obtusa var. gigantea) with larger floral features is rare.Closeupwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5188017186/in/photostream/Medicinally, early Hawaiians used kohekohe (Eleocharis spp.) to treat puupuu wela (unknown?), ph (abscess, burst sore, ulcer), and aai (spreading sores). The plants were processed by cooking and then used to wash affected areas.EtymologyThe genus name Eleocharis comes from Greek helos, "of the marsh or meadow," and charis, "grace, favor, or loveliness."The specific epithet obtusa is from the Latin obtuse or blunt in reference to the blunt seed head of this species.NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Eleocharis_obtusa