Kyllinga (Green Kyllinga)
Kyllinga brevifolia · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 sedge
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Technically a Sedge)
Variety / Cultivar
None specified; wild-type invasive
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; very heat tolerant but enters dormancy or dies back in freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
A low-growing, aggressive sedge that mimics turfgrass; features bright lime-green leaves and small, distinct globe-shaped green seed heads (spikes) that sit atop triangular stems.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are narrow (2-3mm), glossy, and light green. Stems leading to seed heads are triangular in cross-section. No ligule; auricles absent; leaves arranged in three ranks (typical of sedges).
Root System
Extensive system of reddish-to-purple rhizomes; shallow to moderate depth but forms a dense, difficult-to-pull mat.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions; widespread in Asia and the Southeastern US
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via creeping underground stems) and mat-forming
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade; thrives in wet, poorly drained soils and areas with high irrigation or frequent rainfall.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance weed; mowing does not control it and can spread seeds. It grows faster than most turfgrasses, appearing above the canopy within days of mowing.
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive in lawns; excellent moisture indicator; resistant to many standard broadleaf herbicides due to its sedge physiology; very high wear tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in turf; provides minimal wildlife value; outcompetes native grasses in riparian or disturbed wet areas; often found with NutSedge or Doveweed.