Type: India, Herb. Hermann 1, 3: 36 (BM, lecto.)

Common weeds with slender, elongated rhizomes, rounded, fibre-covered tuber at the stems bases, and large spikelet, characteristically dark red-Brown, in short spikes ; Cultivated and other damp places.

Widespread species with no known major threats. In addition, its current population trend is increasing. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.

This is a widespread cosmopolitan species.

It has ben recorded in almost all countries in Western Africa extending east to Kenya and south to South Africa, inclusing Madagascar.

Eastern Africa: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. In Malawi it occurs in Zomba on road to Lake Chilwa from Zomba, Nsanje, Mulunguzi Marsh on Zomba Plateau, Swang'oma harbour on Lake Chilwa, Ulongwe forest reserve, and Mudi river dam in Blantyre. C. r. merkeri & C. r. rotundus = The species is common and widespread in Kenya from sea-level to 1850.

North-eastern Africa: Sudan (In arenosis limosis ad marginem planitiei Turensis prope pagum), Ethiopia (Africa, Abyssinia, In campis poae abyssinicae prope Adoam), Somalia (Migiurtinia: Altipiano del Shol, Dudo), Djibouti, Eritrea (Eritrea-Oculè Cusai: Gruppo dei monti Soyrà, Monte Mamahot verso il torrente Arigot, altipiano di Golò, Hamasen: Embatcalla) and Egypt (Lake Nasser).

W idespread and common species throughout Africa.

Marshes and edge of open water. Swamps, damp sites, riverbanks, drainage lines in coastal bush or forest glades, common weed in rice and maize fields, and in seasonally wet grasslands.

No threat has been identified but heavily grazed by livestock. It is fodder for domestic animals. Rhizomes and bulbes are used to parfume water.

In Northern Africa frequent droughts, urbanization, shifting agriculture and livestock of small-holders may threaten the species locally, but these are not major widespread threats.

The species is not under any conservation measures but some populations are found in protected areas such as national parks and forest reserves.