Plant DetailShow Menu

Similar but less problematic plants:
Andropogon gerardii Andropogon gerardii
Native alternative(s) for Cyperus entrerianus:
Asclepias incarnata Close up of flower
Carex grayi Gray’s Sedge
Panicum virgatum Panicum virgatum
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Phragmites australis Form showing height
Pueraria montana Pueraria montana
Rosa multiflora Rosa multiflora

Deeprooted Sedge Cyperus entrerianus

Previously known as:

  • Cyperus luzulae
Phonetic Spelling
sye-PEER-uss ess-kew-LEN-tuss
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
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. The NC Native Plant Council has placed it on the invasive list.

Glyphosate has been used with some success to control the plant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Invasive

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#sedge#high maintenance#seeds#fast growing#aggressive#spreading#rhizomatous#self-seeding#clumping#weed#full sun#perennial sedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#sedge#high maintenance#seeds#fast growing#aggressive#spreading#rhizomatous#self-seeding#clumping#weed#full sun#perennial sedge
  • 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:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    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:
    Invasive Species
    Weedy