Yellow Nutsedge
Cyperus esculentus · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 (Note: Technically a sedge, not a grass)
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Agricultural and Turf Weed)
Variety / Cultivar
Common wild type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 10; heat-tolerant; aerial parts die back to ground during winter cold while tubers survive underground.
About This Grass
An erect, grass-like perennial reaching 6-30 inches tall. It is characterized by triangular stems and a yellowish-green color. It often grows faster than surrounding turf, making the lawn appear uneven. Seed heads (inflorescence) are golden-yellow to brown umbels.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-to-coarse (approx. 4-9mm wide), W-shaped in cross-section with a prominent midrib. Leaves are arranged in three ranks (triangular base). They have long, tapered, pointed tips and a waxy/shiny appearance. They lack a ligule or auricles.
Root System
Extensive fibrous root system with slender rhizomes ending in small, edible tubers (nutlets) that can remain dormant in soil for years; fast establishment; very difficult to eradicate once tubers form.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Southern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East; naturalized globally in temperate and subtropical regions
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous with tuber formation; spreads aggressively via underground networking
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers wet, poorly drained soils or over-irrigated areas; high drought tolerance once tubers are established; thrives in high humidity.
Mowing & Maintenance
Resistant to standard mowing; usually requires selective herbicides (e.g., SedgeHammer or Sulfentrazone). Standard mowing heights of 2.5-4 inches do not control it. High maintenance if eradication is the goal.
Special Characteristics
Triangular stem (sedges have edges); extreme wear tolerance; salt tolerant; highly invasive; resistant to many common broadleaf and grass herbicides.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in many regions; tubers were historically used as a food source (Tigernut); provides seeds for waterfowl but generally considered a nuisance in managed landscapes and agricultural fields.