Distribution and habitat: Throughout  India, common in waste grounds and gardens.

Botany: A  small sedge, 10-16 cm in height; stolons slender, 10-12 cm, thickened in to black woody ovoid tuberous; aerial stem triquetrous at top.

• Leaves: Tristichous, long , finely acuminate, flat, one nerved, often  overtopping the stem, 0.4-0.8 cm broad.
• Inflorescence: Umbels frequently compound, primary rays 5-20 cm.

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic

Chemical constituents: 

• Cyperene-1 and cyperene-2, cyperotundone from tubers.
• Cyperene, β-selinene, cyperenone, and α-cyperone, from rhizomes.
• Essential oil contains mustakone.
• Root extract possessed tranquillizing activity. It showed antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Formulations: Mustharishtam, Mustakadi churnum

Uses: It is used in Diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, vomiting, cholera, and fever. Root paste is applied to wounds, sores etc. and used in intestinal disease.

Propagation: Vegetatively by tuber.