Purple Nutsedge

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