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yellow nutsedge
Scientific Name: Cyperus esculentus var. hermannii
Family: Cyperaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)
Yellow nutsedge, also known as chufa sedge, nut grass, yellow nutgrass, tiger nut sedge, earth almond, chufa flatsedge, or rush nut, is a perennial plant and a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It's often mistaken for grass but is considered one of the world's most troublesome weeds.
Considerations for Pets
- Yellow nutsedge produces tubers, which may be attractive to pets.
- It's grass-like in appearance with stiff leaves.
Considerations for Children
- Yellow nutsedge produces tubers, which may be attractive to children.
- It's grass-like in appearance with stiff leaves.
Quirky Facts
- Yellow nutsedge tubers have been known to grow into potato tubers in some areas.
- The tubers are sometimes called "nuts" or "nutlets" but are not true nuts. They are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked.
- It can exhibit a prolific growth pattern, resulting in a 3000-fold increase in reproductive potential during one growing season.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cyperus esculentus L.
- Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
- Synonyms/Common Names: chufa sedge, nut grass, yellow nutgrass, tiger nut sedge, earth almond, chufa flatsedge, rush nut
- Subordinate Taxa: Cyperus esculentus var. esculentus L.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America, Eurasia, and the eastern Mediterranean region.
- Found worldwide in warm and temperate zones.
- Common in lawns and gardens, especially in wet conditions.
- Grows in poorly drained soils.
Ecological Role
- Considered a major weed of vegetable and row crops in temperate and tropical regions.
- Classified as a noxious weed in many places due to its aggressive and difficult-to-control nature.
Morphological Characteristics
- Erect, grass-like perennial plant.
- Grows from an extensive system of rhizomes, tubers, and roots.
- Stems reach 12 to 32 inches in height.
- Leaves are narrow and grass-like, originating from the base of the plant.
- Stems are triangular in cross-section.
- Grows upright to form dense clumps.
- Has shiny, yellowish-green, waxy leaves.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Can be controlled biologically with the indigenous rust fungus Puccinia canaliculata.
Further Information
- Purdue Turfgrass Science: www.agry.purdue.edu/turf