FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Identification of Cyperus to species requires examination of fruits and mature achenes (containing a single seed).
Synonym(s): Cyperus tenuifolius, Kyllinga pumila
Description: A short, weedy, grass-like sedge with green, dense flowering heads; has roots with rhizomes. About 12 to 30 cm tall.
Leaves: Basal, linear leaves.
Flowers/Fruit: Dense flowering heads at terminal ends of stems. Flowering heads have 1 to 2 lobes and are all green. Inflorescences located at ends of stems, with flattened spikelets usually in pairs or groups. Achenes in a folded scale, unlike Carex. Flowers and fruits July through October.
Habit and Range: Common statewide in ditches, roadsides, moist lawns, meadows, shores of water bodies.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Cyperus hortensis (low spikesedge) is easily confused with Cyperus sesquiflorus (fragrant spikesedge) which occurs in similar habitats and also has rhizomes, but has whiter, somewhat longer seedheads.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
