Yellow Nutsedge (commonly mistaken for grass)
Cyperus esculentus · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism, aggressive sedge
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (often found in Lawn/Turf environments)
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (Common Yellow Nutsedge)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-11; extremely cold-hardy tubers; aerial parts die back in winter and regrow in late spring.
About This Grass
An aggressive, grass-like weed with a triangular stem and a yellowish-green color. It grows significantly faster than turfgrass, especially in wet conditions, and has a distinct upright, waxy appearance.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (3-8mm); blades are V-shaped in cross-section with a thick mid-vein and long-tapered, pointed tips; color is a distinctive bright yellowish-green; waxy cuticle gives it a shiny look; vernation is 3-ranked (leaves emerge in three directions from a triangular base).
Root System
Fibrous roots with an extensive network of slender rhizomes that end in small, hard, starchy tubers (nutlets) capable of surviving in soil for years.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, Europe, and Africa; pansubtropical and temperate adapted
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous with tubers (nutlets); produces underground creeping rhizomes and terminal tubers
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade; highly water-loving botanical profile, thrives in poorly drained or over-irrigated soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grows faster than turf (requires more frequent mowing); difficult to control with regular mowing height (1.5-3 inches) as it quickly regrows; requires specialized sedge-specific herbicides (nutgrass killers) rather than standard weed & feed.
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive in manicured lawns; excellent resistance to standard broadleaf herbicides; high moisture tolerance; distinctive triangular stem (feel it with fingers to confirm).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Native depending on locale; tubers provide food for waterfowl and wildlife, but it is considered a major economic weed in agriculture and landscaping; companion grasses include moisture-loving species like tall fescue in transition zones.