Yellow Nutsedge (Nutgrass)
Cyperus esculentus · Warm-season, Perennial Sedge (C4 metabolism)
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common wild type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 10; dies back to the ground after the first frost but survives via underground tubers.
About This Grass
An aggressive, grass-like sedge with a distinct triangular stem. It is characterized by its yellowish-green color and rapid vertical growth that often outpaces surrounding turf grasses. It forms clumps that spread horizontally via a network of rhizomes.
Blade Characteristics
Waxy, thick blades with a distinct mid-rib and a V-shape in cross-section. The blades are arranged in sets of three (3-ranked) from the base. They have a long-tapered, pointed tip and lack a ligule or auricles.
Root System
Fibrous roots with extensive rhizomes and small terminal tubers (nutlets) that can remain dormant in the soil for several years. It does not form a dense sod but rather a disruptive clump.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Cosmopolitan; native to North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous with tubers (nutlets); spreads rapidly via underground stems and small tubers
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; highly water-loving and thrives in poorly drained, compacted soils or moist low spots, though it is drought-tolerant once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grows faster than turf grass and is often visible 2-3 days after mowing. Mowing does not control it; chemical control or improved drainage is required. Low maintenance requirement as it is a resilient weed.
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive in lawns; resistant to most common grass-specific herbicides; distinctive triangular stem (Sedges have edges); excellent salt and heat tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; tubers are a food source for some wildlife like waterfowl and wild hogs; considered one of the world's worst weeds due to its competitive nature in agricultural and residential landscapes.