Purple Nutsedge

Cyperus rotundus L.

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

▲ ▼ young, non-flowering plants growing in sidewalk crack

▲▼ colonies of flowering plants

▲  uprooted flowering plant

▲▼ flowers

▲ rhizomes and tubers

Purple Nutsedge: 

·         also a sedge, with a triangular stem (not a grass)

·         produces seeds, rhizomes and tubers

·         smaller than yellow nutsedge—growing 6-24” tall

·         inflorescences are purplish panicles and leaves are darker green than yellow nutsedge

·         rhizomes are dark, sometimes purplish and thicker than  yellow nutsedge

·         tubers are formed in chains while yellow nutsedge tubers are formed singly at end of short underground stems

·         also prefers moist and/or sandy soils, but can grow anywhere

·         more of a problem south and west of here, but getting closer

·         was considered one of the worlds worst weeds in difficulty to control