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How have people used sedges to make mats, baskets, screens, and sandals?
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Cyperaceae
Spikes of sedge (Carex pendula).
Sedges are widely utilized across the globe for weaving mats, baskets, screens, and sandals due to the strength and fibrous nature of their stems and leaves.1
While Cyperus tegetum is specifically cultivated in India for these purposes, many other genera are gathered from wild stands, including:
- Carex
- Cyperus
- Eleocharis
- Schoenoplectus
- Rhynchospora corymbosa (notably in Malaysia)
Beyond these items, the structural utility of sedges extends to other traditional crafts. For example, indigenous peoples living near Lake Titicaca use Schoenoplectus tatora to construct small boats known as balsas. Similarly, papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) was historically significant in ancient Egypt for the construction of boats and the production of paper.1