Nutsedge , often mistaken for grass and commonly called Cyperus rotundus , is a unyielding recurrent locoweed in the sedge family unit ( Cyperaceae ) , infamous for invade lawn , garden , and agricultural fields . Unlike true grasses , nutsedge have triangular stems , earning the rhyme “ sedge have edges . ” thrive in moist , poorly drain soils , they spread via belowground tubers ( nutlets ) , rhizome , and seeds , mould dense colony that outcompete desirable flora .
With over 20 coinage worldwide , primarily in the genus Cyperus , nutsedges variegate in appearance , home ground , and encroachment . Two common species are icteric nut grass ( Cyperus esculentus ) and purple nut grass ( Cyperus rotundus ) .
Key Characteristics
Nutsedge is consider a noxious weed in many area , particularly in agricultural playing area , lawn , and golf courses . It can compete with harvest and turfgrass for resources , reduce yields or causing damage .
Types of Nutsedge
Yellow Nutsedge ( Cyperus esculentus )
Yellow Nutsedge , one of the most widespread nutsedges , is a spherical pest found in North America , Europe , and Africa , specially in the U.S. from Florida to California . Growing 1 - 3 fundament tall , it has brilliant yellow - greenish , shiny leaves and yellow - brownish , spiky efflorescence head blooming in summertime . Its triangular stems and V - mold leave of absence distinguish it from grasses . distribute via rhizome and nutlets , a individual plant can produce thousands of nutlets per annum , surviving up to 10 old age in soil . Thriving in moist , productive soils , it infest lawns and harvest like soybeans .
ascendence necessitate herbicide like halosulfuron ( Sedgehammer ) or imazaquin ( Image Nutsedge Killer ) , applied in warm , moist conditions , with repetition covering 7 - 10 days later . Cultural practices , like improving drainage and pout at right acme , preclude irruption . mechanically skillful remotion by dig 10 inches cryptic and broad can work for little patches .
Purple Nutsedge ( Cyperus rotundus )
Purple Nutsedge , dub the “ world ’s worst weed , ” is prevalent in warm clime , include the southeastern U.S. , Asia , and Africa . Reaching 1 - 2 feet , it has glum fleeceable leaves and purplish - brownish flower heads , emerging later than yellow nutsedge in former summer . Its aggressive rootstock and nutlet arrangement forms dense eyepatch up to 10 foot wide , outcompeting crop and turf . opt moist , compacted soil , it tolerates drouth once shew .
Control is challenging due to herbicide resistor ; bentazon ( Basagran ) or halosulfuron are effective on turfgrasses like bermudagrass . ethnic controls include mysterious , infrequent irrigation and aeration to reduce soil compaction . Digging out plants , include all Tuber , in other spring minimizes spread , as nutlets can stay on viable for years . Correct identification is critical , as imperial nutgrass requires specific herbicides compared to yellow nut sedge .
False Nutsedge ( Cyperus strigosus )
False Nutsedge , native to North America , is common in the eastern U.S. , from New York to Texas . Growing 1 - 2.5 feet , it has slim , lightsome immature folio and straw - colored to golden flower heads , resembling yellow nutsedge but with prospicient , more delicate prickle . Found in wet meadows , ditches , and disturbed soils , it unfold in the first place by seeds and short rhizomes , less aggressively than other nutsedge .
Its shallow root scheme makes it easier to control mechanically by attract or fag , peculiarly in informal , moist soil . weedkiller like imazaquin are effective , but cultural practice session like improving soil drainage and maintaining dense greensward prevent establishment . False nutsedge is less invading but can still disrupt lawns and garden , call for vigilant monitoring to confine seed dispersal during summer flowering .
level Nutsedge ( Cyperus planifolius )
Flat Nutsedge , autochthonic to the southeastern U.S. , particularly Florida and Georgia , grows 6 - 18 inches magniloquent with two-dimensional , broad parting and small-scale , clump flower head ranging from dark-green to brownness . opt sandy , wetland land , it often appears in coastal marshes and low - lying lawns . Its special rhizome spread and reliance on seeds make it less aggressive than scandalmongering or purple nut sedge .
Control involve manual removal by savvy out the shallow roots or applying selective herbicides like bentazon on compatible turf . Maintaining proper lawn health through impregnation and aeration discourages its growth , as it struggle in slow , well - drain turf . Its localized dispersion makes it a lesser concern , but early intervention prevents seed open in vulnerable ecosystems .
Umbrella Nutsedge ( Cyperus alternifolius )
Umbrella Nutsedge , often arise as an cosmetic plant , is aboriginal to Africa but wide cultivated in the U.S. as a garden or indoor plant , sometimes miss into wetlands . get to 2 - 4 foundation , it has long , arch leave of absence radiating like an umbrella from the bow tips , with greenish flower heads . It spreads via rhizomes and come , boom in consistently slopped soils like pool edges or poorly drained gardens . While less trespassing than imperial nutsedge , it can make dense clumps .
dominance includes manual remotion by digging out rhizomes or using glyphosate - found weed killer in non - crop areas . As a pet , it requires eminent humidity and partial shade , but outside cultivation risk unwanted bedspread , need thrifty management to preclude it from becoming a weed .
Rice Flat Nutsedge ( Cyperus iria )
Rice Flat Nutsedge , a major sess in rice field of operations , is aboriginal to Asia but widespread in the southern U.S. , Australia , and South America . Growing 1 - 2 foot , it has brilliant green , narrow leaves and xanthous - brown , flat - top flower heads . Thriving in flooded or saturated soils , it spreads via seed and small tuber , competing with crops like rice and sugarcane .
Its shallow origin system allows manual remotion , but herbicides like bentazon or halosulfuron are more efficient in large infestations . ethnical control , such as adjust irrigation to avoid prolonged flooding , reduce its preponderance . In lawn , maintain dense sod and right drainage limits its establishment , though its mellow seed yield take early control to keep widespread sprouting .
Fragrant Flat Nutsedge ( Cyperus odoratus )
Fragrant Flat Nutsedge , native to the Americas , is detect from the southern U.S. to South America , growing 1 - 3 feet with idle light-green leaves and fragrant , gilt - brown flower head . Common in wetland , ditches , and moist lawns , it scatter via seeds and short rhizome , forming loose colonies . Its redolent foliage signalize it from other nutsedges .
control condition involves digging out plant or applying selective herbicides like imazaquin , safe for turfgrasses like centipedegrass . Improving land drainage and aeration preclude its growth , as it prefers saturated conditions . While less fast-growing , its seed dispersal can run to unyielding infestation , requiring regular monitoring in vulnerable landscape .
Globe Nutsedge ( Cyperus croceus )
Globe Nutsedge , aboriginal to the southeastern U.S. , grows 1 - 2 feet with slender , dark green leave of absence and spheric , gilded bloom heads . Found in sandy , moist soils like lawns , roadsides , and pine barrens , it spread out via seeds and limited rhizomes , make it less incursive . Mechanical remotion by pulling or dig is effective for little patches , while weed killer like halosulfuron restraint larger infestations .
ethnic practice , such as keep blockheaded greensward and avoiding overwatering , deter its establishment . Its compact growth and lower genus Tuber output make it easy to oversee than icteric or majestic nutsedge , but its seed heads require early removal to preclude spread .
Annual Nutsedge ( Cyperus compressus )
Annual Nutsedge , find in tropic and subtropical regions , include the southerly U.S. , is an one-year species growing 6 - 18 inches with light green , narrow-minded leaves and small , dark-green efflorescence heads . Unlike perennial nutsedges , it trust on cum replication , lack extensive tubers or rhizome . Common in disturbed soil like gardens and lawn , it thrives in moist conditions .
Control is simpler due to its one-year nature ; pre - emergent herbicides like pendimethalin or manual weeding prevent sprouting . Proper lawn care , including aeration and infrequent irrigation , limits its spread . Its less persistent nature makes it a minor blighter compared to perennial nutsedges , but source control is key .
Chufa Nutsedge ( Cyperus esculentus var . sativus )
Chufa Nutsedge , a cultivated smorgasbord of yellow Cyperus rotundus , is grown in Spain , Africa , and the Middle East for its edible tuber , used in horchata , a traditional drink . Growing 1 - 3 feet , it resemble yellow nutsedge with yellow - green leave and yellow flower heads . While intentionally planted , it can escape cultivation , becoming a Mary Jane in damp soils .
Control mirrors icteric nutsedge , using weedkiller like halosulfuron or manual digging to take tubers . In non - crop area , glyphosate is good . Farmers bring off its spread by splay crop and monitor irrigation , as its tuber can run like wild counterpart . Its dual purpose as harvest and possible weed requires heedful management .
Slender Nutsedge ( Cyperus distachyos )
Slender Nutsedge , aboriginal to tropic and subtropic regions including part of the southerly U.S. , Australia , and Asia , is a lesser - known species growing 6 - 18 inch tall . It has narrow-minded , eatage - like leaves and small , dark-brown peak heads set in loose cluster . Found in wet meadows , Ngaio Marsh , and touch soils , it spreads primarily through seeds and inadequate rhizomes , make it less aggressive than lily-livered or regal nutsedge .
Its shallow roots allow for effective mechanical control by hired man - pull or hollow in damp land , though herbicides like imazaquin ( Image Nutsedge Killer ) can target larger plot of land . ethnic practices , such as improve soil drain and observe impenetrable turf , prevent its governance . While not as invasive , its seed production postulate former interference to limit spread in lawns and gardens .
Swamp Nutsedge ( Cyperus ligularis )
Swamp Nutsedge , prevalent in the Americas , from the southeastern U.S. to South America , thrive in wetlands , swamp , and coastal Reginald Marsh , growing 2 - 4 substructure tall . Its broad , dark dark-green leaves and dense , reddish - brownish flush head signalize it , with a rich rhizome system enabling speedy banquet in saturated soils . Unlike other nutgrass , it ’s more common in born ecosystems than cultivated area , but it can invade badly drained lawns or rice field .
Control involves manual remotion of rootstock or applying selective herbicides like bentazon ( Basagran ) , safe for some turfgrasses . Draining wet areas and promoting soil aeration discourage its increase . Its ecologic part in stabilizing wetland soils contrasts with its mourning band status , requiring balanced direction in tender habitat .
Dwarf Umbrella Nutsedge ( Cyperus albostriatus )
Dwarf Umbrella Nutsedge , aboriginal to southern Africa but introduce to the U.S. ( notably Florida and Hawaii ) , is a stocky species reaching 6 - 12 inches . Its umbrella - like leaf arrangement and small , greenish - white heyday read/write head make it a popular ornamental plant life , but it escapes into lawn and wetlands . open via seeds and shortsighted rhizomes , it prefer moist , louche expanse .
command is straightforward with manual pulling in small infestations or herbicides like halosulfuron ( Sedgehammer ) for larger piece . Maintaining well - drained soil and avoiding overwatering prevents its validation . Its ornamental charm take careful cultivation to ward off undesirable spread , especially in tropical clime where it can become trespassing .
put on Green Kyllinga ( Kyllinga gracillima )
put on Green Kyllinga , tight related to Cyperus species , is a Cyperus rotundus - like weed found in the southeastern U.S. , Central America , and Asia , farm 6 - 18 inches . It has glossy , dark green leaves and compact , green flower heads , resembling a smaller purple nut grass . Common in lawns , golf courses , and wet fields , it distribute via seeds and rhizomes , thriving in compacted , moist soils .
Herbicides like sulfentrazone or halosulfuron are effectual , while ethnical controls include aeration and proper mop height ( 2 - 3 inches for most turfgrasses ) . hired man - pull is less efficacious due to its deep rootstock , but early removal before seminal fluid set limit overspread . Its insidious appearance makes identification key to targeted ascendancy .
White Kyllinga ( Kyllinga nemoralis )
White Kyllinga , native to Asia but widespread in the U.S. , Africa , and Australia , is a low - growing nutsedge relative , reach 4 - 12 inch . Its narrow leaves and livid , earth - determine flower heads separate it from other nutsedges , appear in lawns , pasture , and wetland . Spreading via seeds , rhizomes , and stolons , it favors tender , wet conditions .
Control demand selective herbicide like imazaquin or sulfentrazone , enforce in summertime for optimum uptake . Cultural practices , such as concentrate irrigation frequence and improving turf denseness , minimise its paste . Its compact emergence and high seed production demand vigilant management to preclude it from dominate landscapes , especially in tropic and subtropic realm .
