Kyllinga (Green Kyllinga)
Kyllinga brevifolia · Warm-season perennial sedge
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (often found in Lawn/Turf)
Variety / Cultivar
Common Kyllinga (Wild-type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; survives as a perennial in warm climates and remains dormant or dies back to rhizomes in cold winters.
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming sedge with a pale to lime green color. It is easily distinguished by its round, spiky, globe-shaped seed heads (inflorescences) that appear on the ends of short, triangular stems. It grows faster than many turfgrasses in wet conditions.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves are three-ranked, reaching 1/8 inch (approx 3mm) in width. Stems are distinctly triangular in cross-section. The leaves are smooth, glossy, and have a prominent mid-vein. Tips are pointed; lacks a ligule or auricles common in true grasses.
Root System
Produces extensive reddish-purple rhizomes that are shallow but vigorous. It forms a dense mat that makes mechanical removal difficult. It does not produce tubers like yellow nutsedge.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia; naturalized throughout the Southern United States and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and stoloniferous; forms aggressive, low-growing mats that crowd out desirable turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers poorly drained, moist-to-saturated soils. Highly water-dependent but can survive brief dry periods once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
Extremely low mowing tolerance; it can survive even at golf course green heights (under 0.5 inches). In lawns, it is maintained at the height of the turf (2-4 inches) but requires sedge-specific herbicides (like sulfentrazone) for control as it thrives under standard maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive in turf; excellent shade tolerance compared to bermudagrass; thrives in over-watered or compacted soils; resistant to most broadleaf and standard grass herbicides.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in manicured landscapes; provides minimal wildlife value but is highly effective at soil stabilization in ditch banks due to its matting nature. Often outcompetes native grasses in damp ecosystems.