Yellow nutsedge

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Yellow nutsedge
Cyperus esculentus

Life cycle 

Perennial; Classified as a sedge not technically a grass.

Growth habit 

Leaves shiny, yellow-green, narrow, and grass-like; stems are 3-sided, triangular in cross section.

Reproduction 

From small nutlets (tubers) attached to rhizomes/possibly seed.

Nutsedge spreads by offshoots as well as seed

Yellow nutsedge seed spike

Conditions that favor growth 

Colonizes wet areas with poor drainage; diverting water or improving drainage can help reduce the weed infestation.

Management

Cultural control: Maintain healthy, dense turf that can compete and prevent weed establishment.
Mechanical control: Digging out or using an appropriate weeding tool to remove the underground 'nutlets' is the primary means of mechanical control of nutsedge. This is a viable option at the beginning of an infestation and on young weeds. 
General chemical control: (lawns) Spot treat the areas that have nutsedge with a liquid, selective herbicide that contains the active ingredient: Common Name: Halosulfuron; Trade Name: Sedgehammer and others or Common Name: Sulfentrazone

Organic control                                                                          

For a glossary of herbicide terms and additional information see: control options   

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