Yellow Nutsedge (often mistaken for grass)
Cyperus esculentus · Warm-season, Perennial Sedge (C4 photosynthesis)
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (technically a sedge)
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (Common Yellow Nutsedge)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-11; highly adaptable; aerial parts die back in winter, regrowing from underground tubers in late spring.
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 significantly faster than most lawn grasses in summer.
Blade Characteristics
Waxy, V-shaped or channeled in cross-section with a prominent midrib; width 4-8mm; tapering to a long, sharp point; yellowish-green color; leaves arranged in three ranks (triangular base).
Root System
Fibrous roots with a complex network of rhizomes and small terminal tubers (nutlets) that remain dormant in soil for years; difficult to eradicate by pulling.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, Europe, and much of the Northern Hemisphere; thrives in moist, disturbed soils
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous with Nutlets; spreads by underground rhizomes and small tubers called 'nutlets'
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers wet, poorly drained soils but is highly drought-tolerant once tubers are established.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grows faster than turf (requires frequent mowing); height usually 6-30 inches if unmowed; resistant to standard broadleaf herbicides and requires specialized sedge-killers (Sedgehammer).
Special Characteristics
Triangular stem (sedges have edges); waxy cuticle makes it resistant to many contact herbicides; salt-tolerant; thrives in over-watered lawns.
Ecological Information
Native to many regions but considered a noxious weed in agricultural and turf settings; tubers provide high-energy food for waterfowl (wildlife value), but it is highly invasive in lawns.