Yellow Nutsedge (often mistaken for grass)
Cyperus esculentus · Warm-season perennial sedge (C4)
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (often found in lawns and ornamental beds)
Variety / Cultivar
Common wild variety (sometimes called Chufa when cultivated)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10; goes dormant and turns brown after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
An erect, grass-like weed with a distinctly triangular stem. It is typically a brighter, yellowish-green than surrounding turf and grows much faster than standard grasses in summer heat.
Blade Characteristics
Waxy, thick blades approximately 4-8mm wide with a prominent mid-rib; tapering to a sharp point. Leaves are arranged in groups of 3 (3-ranked) at the base. No ligule or auricles.
Root System
Fibrous roots with extensive rhizomes that terminate in small, starchy underground tubers (nutlets) which allow for rapid regrowth even if pulled.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to most of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Southern Europe, and Africa.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous with tubers (nutlets); highly aggressive, forming dense colonies via underground runners.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers wet, poorly drained soils but is highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
Hard to control with mowing; grows faster than turfgrass. Best managed with specialized sedge-specific herbicides (containing Sedgehammer/Sulfentrazone).
Special Characteristics
Distinctive triangular stem (sedges have edges); waxy cuticle makes it resistant to many standard broadleaf herbicides; survives through tiny underground tubers.
Ecological Information
Native to much of the US; nutlets are a food source for some waterfowl and wild hogs, but generally considered a noxious weed in landscapes.