Deeprooted Sedge Cyperus entrerianus
Previously known as:
- Cyperus luzulae
- Phonetic Spelling
- sye-PEAR-uss ess-kew-LEN-tuss
- Description
-
Deeprooted sedge is a perennial grass-like sedge native to South America and Mexico. The clumps grow to 3.5 feet tall and are spread by rhizomes. The stems are 3-sided and the leaf bases have a distinctive purple-black coloration. The inflorescence is a cluster of terminal spikelets. The plant invades wetlands and disturbed areas throughout the southeastern United States. It was accidentally introduced to Texas in 1941 and has spread by construction and agricultural activities, and roadside mowing.
Deeprooted sedge is beginning to displace native vegetation in undisturbed habitats. Large plants can produce a million viable seeds per year, and the plant can overwinter in much of the South. Also reproduces vegetatively via fragmentation and budding of rhizomes.
Glyphosate has been used with some success to control the plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Weedy and aggressive. It should be removed from gardens.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cyperus
- Species:
- ventrerianus
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Distribution:
- AL, FL, GA, LA, MO, MS, SC and TX
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Brown achenes with many seeds- up to 1 million per large plant.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- The terminal flower consists of 5 - 11 groups of greenish-white densely clustered spikelets.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The green linear leaves are basal, glossy, and flat or V-shaped with a purple-black base. Leaves are 12- 24 inches long and .5 inches wide.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- 3-sided green stem
-
-
Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
