yellow nutsedge: Cyperus esculentus (Cyperales: Cyperaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

yellow nutsedge	USDA PLANTS Symbol: CYES U.S. Nativity: Habit: Grass or Grasslike
Cyperus esculentus L.

Jump to: Images | Distribution Maps | Sources

Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Cyperaceae
Synonym(s): chufa, yellow nutgrass, yellow nutsedge
Native Range: W. Asia, Africa (BAIL); trop. Africa to India (MANS)
Appearance Cyperus esculentus is a native perennial, with upright, triangular stems up to 2 ft. (0.61 m) tall and short, scaly rhizomes. Foliage Leaves are light green, very glossy and grass-like. They are three ranked and taper to a sharp point. Flowers The inflorescence is a terminal clustered spikelet. Flowers are yellowish to brownish in color. Fruit The fruits are achenes that seldom mature. Fruits are brown, sessile, and ellipsoid. Ecological Threat Cyperus esculentus is widespread and varies morphologically. Four varieties are recognized. It can be aggressive, with the tubers persisting even when the plant is pulled up by the roots. Cyperus esculentus can form dense stands especially in disturbed wetlands.

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); October. Photo from Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by J.H. Miller and K.V. Miller, published by The University of Georgia Press in cooperation with the Southern Weed Science Society. John W. Everest, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Mark Czarnota, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Lynn Sosnoskie, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Joseph LaForest, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Stem(s); Triangular stem Joseph LaForest, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Ken Chamberlain, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Tubers Ken Chamberlain, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Field; Overview of mature ellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) plants growing in an onion field. Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources:

WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States