Photo Credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, retrieved from Bugwood.org (Image Number: 5498743), use under CC BY 3.0 US, modified from the original
Common Name: Yellow Nutsedge Scientific Name: Cyperus esculentus Habitat: wet grassland, farmland, disturbed areas Provincial Designation: Prohibited Noxious Prohibited Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "prohibited noxious" in the Alberta weed regulation. Prohibited noxious weeds must be destroyed, meaning all growing parts need to be killed or the plant's reproductive mechanisms need to be rendered non-viable. |
Origin
Yellow nutsedge is native to sub-tropical regions of North America. Recently, it started spreading into temperate regions.
Legislated Because
This sedge can become a troublesome weed in crops and turf. In Canada, it is a weed in agricultural fields where potato and soybean is grown.
Description
Yellow nutsedge can grow 15-60 cm tall and its stem is triangular. The flowers are 1-3 cm long, arranged in typical umbels and yellow-brown to light brown in colour.
The leaves are light green, 10-30 cm long, 2-10 mm wide, and have a waxy surface. Yellow nutsedge prefers wet open areas for initial establishment but can tolerate drought once established.
Learn more about this species:
See Fact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council