Cyperaceae
Cyperus rotundus
Purple Nutsedge · Masinde
G
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Cyperus rotundus is a perennial sedge reaching up to 140 cm, characterised by glossy, dark green, grass-like leaves and erect, triangular stems topped with reddish-brown to purplish-brown flower spikes. It spreads aggressively via an extensive underground network of rhizomes and dark, nut-like tubers. While traditionally used for medicine and as a famine food source, it is globally recognised as one of the world's worst invasive weeds, capable of severely reducing crop yields and outcompeting other vegetation.
Growing notes
This highly invasive species exhibits rapid growth and extreme persistence once established, forming dense mats. It is challenging to control due to its deep and extensive tuber system, which can remain viable for many years and tolerates varied soil conditions and drought.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: wikipedia.org, ncsu.edu, iucngisd.org, nih.gov, pfaf.org, npsot.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.