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Cyperaceae, Cyperus - Flatsedge

Waves of Grain Index - Not Grass

Cyperaceae - Sedge family, Flatsedge Genus

Purple Nutgrass Cyperus rotundus

The bane of many lawns.  Triangular stem can be 18" tall but in my area is usually 6"-8" tall, multiple bracts.  Several branches of long red to brown spikelets clustered at on top of a pedicel that grows as the spikelets mature.  Narrow basal leaves with a prominent mid vein.  Fibrous root system made of hairy rhizomes that become tubers (nutlets) and new plants.  Does not tolerate shade.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, June 2007

(Introduced, native of Europe - Taylor)

Cyperaceae - Sedge family, Flatsedge Genus

Fragrant Flatsedge (Large-head Flatsedge, Rusty Flatsedge) Cyperus odoratus

Lives at water edge.  Elongated branches covered in tiny perpendicular needle-like spikelets, green to yellow.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, September 2007

(Native to Texas - Taylor, Brown)

Cyperaceae - Sedge family, Flatsedge Genus

Flatsedge ** zg 5** Cyperus sp.

This is a common dry-land sedge that prefers sand.  Several branches of spherical clusters of flat green/red brown spikelets, one per pedicel that lengthens as the spikelets mature.  Plant 12"-16" tall, with multiple long bracts, flat narrow basal leaves.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, July 2005, June 2007

(Native of ?)

Hunting Similar Species

Baldwin Flatsedge (Globe Sedge) Cyperus croceus (Cyperus globulosus)

except grow from rhizomes.

(Native of Texas - not in my area)

Cylindric Sedge (Pine-barren Flatsedge) Cyperus retrorsus

except not cylindrical.

(Native of Texas - not in my area)

possible  Lean Flatsedge (Strawcolored Flatsedge, False Nutsedge) Cyperus setigerus

Puff-ball inflorescence, one to many.  Needle-like spikelets, 1/4"-1" long, radiate horizontally off branch, golden-brown.  3-10 long bracts.  Triangular culm.  1-3 feet tall.  Longest leaves as long as the culm and up to 1/2" wide.  Variable in appearance.  Grows in open, moist, sandy soils.

(Native to Texas - Jones)

Other Species in My Area - needle-like spikelets

Hermaphrodite Flatsedge Cyperus hermaphroditus

Cluster of elongated branches covered in tiny needle-like spikelets, surrounded by bracts.

(Native to Texas - Edwards)

Other Species in My Area - wheat-like

Taperleaf Flatsedge (Tapertip Flatsedge) Cyperus acuminatus

Looks like a cluster of Seagrass.

(Native of Texas - Taylor, Brown)

Epiphytic Flatsedge Cyperus lanceolatus

Long wheat shaped spikelets that radiate or fan in a cluster, on short branch.  Long slender bracts.

(Native of Texas - Edwards)

Slender Flatsedge (Great Plains Flatsedge) Cyperus lupulinus ssp. lupulinus

Looks like one large ball at top of stem but made up of Seagrass.

(Native to Texas - Brown)

Schweinitz Flatsedge (Sand Flatsedge) Cyperus schweinitzii

Spike of clusters, large roundish spikelets, branches appended.

(Native to Texas - Taylor, Jones)

Other Species in My Area

Tuberroot Flatsedge (Fendler's Flatsedge) Cyperus fendlerianus

(Native to Texas - panhandle)

Oneflower Flatsedge Cyperus retroflexus

(Native to Texas - Taylor, Callahan)

Waves of Grain Index - Not Grass

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