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Annual Sedge Cyperus

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
sy-PEER-us
Description

A genus of approximately 700 species of sedges, Cyperus can be found worldwide in tropical and temperate locations.  Variations occur throughout the genus.

The flowers are green or yellowish-brown. Seeds germinate spring through summer. Plants flower in late summer through early fall, and then die after frost.

The stems are triangular in cross-section and plants grow best in wet sites in hot weather.

Annual sedges are variable in size but all have a clump (or tillered) growth habit and frequently have red roots, but lack the rhizomes and tubers seen in nutsedge. Annual sedges are easier to control than perennial nutsedges. Many preemergence herbicides are effective on annual sedges and hand weeding is easier and more effective than with nutsedge.

Annual Sedge is a food source for the Dun skipper butterfly (Euphyes vestris) as well as the Bella moth (Utetheisa ornatrix).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Several species of annual sedges including rice flat sedge (C. iria), compressed sedge (C. compressus), flatsedge (C. odoratus) can infest container stock. In contrast to yellow nutsedge, these species spread strictly by seed.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus esculentus
Tags:
#moth caterpillar host#sedge#mass planting#pond margins#fast growing#NC native#native ornamental grass#native annual#larval host plant#border front#native weed#walkway planting#small group plantings#bird friendly#mammals#host plant#container plant#butterfly caterpillar host#aquatic#weed#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus esculentus
Tags:
#moth caterpillar host#sedge#mass planting#pond margins#fast growing#NC native#native ornamental grass#native annual#larval host plant#border front#native weed#walkway planting#small group plantings#bird friendly#mammals#host plant#container plant#butterfly caterpillar host#aquatic#weed#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cyperus
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South hemisphere and parts of norther hemisphere
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds and small mammals often eat the seeds and tubers. Serves as a host plant for species of butterflies and moths.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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 Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasional Flooding
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are three-angled.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy