How to Identify Nutsedge in a Lawn

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Nutsedge is the common name for a group of sedges so-named because their tubers somewhat resemble nuts, although they are not botanically related to nuts. Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) are of particular interest in the United States because they are considered invasive weeds, especially purple nutsedge. Purple and yellow nutsedge require different herbicides, making correct identification important. Read on to learn more.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Distinguish nutsedge from grass by the stem. Grass stems are hollow and round; nutsedge stems are triangular or V-shaped. Nutsedge leaves are thicker than most grasses with a distinctly shiny appearance, creased with mid-veins and grouped in threes at the stem.

Step2

Consider the range of nutsedge. Yellow nutsedge has a greater tolerance for cold than purple nutsedge although purple nutsedge is hardier in warmer climates.

Step3

Study the leaves. Purple nutsedge leaves taper to a blunt point and are dark green. Yellow nutsedge leaves taper to a sharp point and are light green. Purple nutsedge has purple seed heads and yellow nutsedge has yellow seed heads.

Step4

Observe the tubers. Purple nutsedge tubers are grouped together on the rhizomes and have a bitter taste; yellow nutsedge tubers occur singly at the tips of the rhizomes and have a sweet taste.

Step5

Examine the height of the plant. Purple nutsedge does not normally grow any higher than 6 inches, but yellow nutsedge grows up to 16 inches tall.