Green Kyllinga (Green Fleshed Sedge)
Kyllinga brevifolia · Warm-season, Perennial Sedge (C4-like photosynthesis)
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass, Wetland/Riparian Sedge
Variety / Cultivar
Wild Type (Naturally occurring species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; lacks cold tolerance and goes dormant/turns brown after first frost.
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming perennial sedge that thrives in moist areas. It features bright green, grass-like foliage and distinctive globe-shaped flower heads. It often outcompetes turfgrasses in poorly drained soils.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium (1.5-3mm), flat, glossy bright green with a distinct mid-vein and pointed tips; stems are triangular in cross-section (typical of sedges).
Root System
Moderate depth; extensive rhizomatous network that is reddish-brown or purple in color. Rapidly establishes and resists hand-pulling.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa; naturalized extensively in the Southeastern US, Hawaii, and California.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous; forms dense mats via slender, creeping reddish-purple underground stems.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade; very high water requirements; thrives in saturated, poorly drained, or frequently irrigated soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintenance height: 0.5 to 2.0 inches; can survive very low mowing heights on golf greens. Requires specialist sedge herbicides (Sedgehammer, Celero) for control.
Special Characteristics
Extreme moisture tolerance; high wear recovery due to rhizomes; highly invasive in manicured turf; distinctive citrus-like scent when crushed.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in many regions; provides minimal wildlife value; excellent for soil stabilization in boggy areas but often viewed as a problematic weed in landscapes.