Kyllinga (Green Kyllinga / False Green Kyllinga)
Kyllinga brevifolia · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 sedge
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Sedge)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 10, with high heat tolerance and active growth during peak summer months; goes dormant and turns straw-colored with the first hard frost.
Grass Family
Cyperaceae (Sedge family, though commonly managed as a lawn weed)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
About This Grass
Forms low-growing, dense patches of bright yellow-green foliage with distinct triangular stems characteristic of sedges. Reaches 2 to 6 inches tall under regular mowing but can grow taller if left unmanaged. Easily identified by its small, spherical, greenish-white to straw-colored seed heads/spikelets resembling tiny globes.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-width leaves (2-4 mm) radiating primarily from the base with a smooth, glossy texture and a folded or V-shaped cross-section in the bud. Bright yellow-green color contrasting with typical dark green turf. Lacks traditional true grass ligules and auricles.
Root System
Fibrous and rhizomatous root system with strong underground creeping rhizomes that allow it to spread rapidly and form a tough sod. Moderate depth, highly persistent, and difficult to eradicate by hand pulling alone.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Tropics and subtropics worldwide; widely distributed in warm-temperate regions of the Americas and Asia
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via creeping underground rhizomes, forming dense, bright green mats that outcompete turfgrass
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade, strongly prefers moist, poorly drained soils, overwatered lawns, and compacted areas. High drought tolerance once established due to robust rhizomes, but flourishes in wet conditions.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grows faster than many surrounding turf grasses during warm summer months, often requiring frequent mowing. Tolerates low mowing heights well, which can actually encourage its spread as it drops seeds below the blade level. High maintenance to control.
Special Characteristics
High tolerance for low mowing, soil compaction, and wet conditions. Highly competitive against standard turf grasses, difficult to control with standard broadleaf herbicides as it is a sedge requiring specialized products (e.g., sulfentrazone or halosulfuron).
Ecological Information
Introduced or native depending on the region, often classified as a persistent lawn weed in managed turf. Provides minimal wildlife value compared to native grasses, though it acts as a ground cover and soil stabilizer in damp, disturbed habitats.