Yellow Nutsedge (infesting Bermuda grass)
Cyperus esculentus · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 Monocot (Technically a sedge, not a true Poaceae grass)
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (often found in Lawn/Turf)
Variety / Cultivar
Common Wild Type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-11; survives winter as dormant tubers; high heat tolerance; dies back to the ground after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
An aggressive, upright weed that grows faster than surrounding turf. It has a triangular stem (characteristic of sedges), yellowish-green color, and a shiny, waxy appearance. It typically grows 6 to 30 inches if left unmowed, standing out prominently against darker turfgrasses.
Blade Characteristics
V-shaped in cross-section with a distinct mid-rib; width is medium (3-7mm); tip is long and tapered to a sharp point; color is bright yellowish-green; leaves are arranged in groups of three (3-ranked) from the base; waxy/shiny texture; no ligule or auricles.
Root System
Fibrous roots with a complex network of rhizomes and underground tubers (nutlets); moderate to deep; very high thatch-forming tendency; extremely fast establishment and difficult to eradicate.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North America, Southern Europe, and Africa; widespread global weed in temperate and tropical regions
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Tuberous; spreads via underground rhizomes that produce small nut-like tubers (nutlets)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade; prefers wet, poorly drained soils but is highly drought-tolerant once established; thrives in high-moisture areas and compacted soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height is usually dictated by the surrounding turf (1-3 inches), but it regrows rapidly between mows; survives frequent mowing; requires specific sedge-targeted herbicides for control; very difficult maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Extreme persistence due to underground tubers; high salt tolerance; resistant to most broadleaf and standard grass herbicides; able to pierce through plastic mulch and landscape fabric.
Ecological Information
Native to many regions but considered a serious weed globally; tubers provide food for waterfowl and some wildlife; very high invasive potential in agricultural and turf settings; provides soil stabilization in wetland margins.