Weed of the Week

4-28-08

Yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus

                          

Photo credits: John W. Everest. Miller, J.H. and K.V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses.  University of Georgia Press, Athens. Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, United States

 Characteristics:

Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)

Origin:

Description:

• Aggressive perennial

• 6-30 inches tall

Stems:

• Three pithy angled stems

• Are triangular in cross section (all sedges have this trait)

Flowers:

• Spikelets are yellowish brown

• Born at the end of several leaves of unequal length

Leaves:

• Tree leaves originate from the base

• Waxy and shiny in appearance

Fruit:

• Small seeds born from spikelets

Additional information:

Has a unique underground nutlet from which the plant can spread.  These nutlets can lie dormant for several years before producing a new plant making control difficult.  Yellow nutsedge prefers moist soils and is a problem in various crops.  There are over 600 sedge species but only yellow and purple nutsedge are considered weeds.

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