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Sedges have triangular stems with waxy grass-like leaves which alternate. Sedges are not grass plants, but seedlings may be mistaken for grass. The leaves |
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| on both sedges are waxy and have an up right growth habit and a prominent midrib. Both sedges have underground root systems containing rhizomes and underground tubers which accomplish most of the reproduction. On yellow nutsedge, the tubers (nutlets) form at the end of whitish rhizomes. Purple nutsedge forms chains of tubers along brownish rhizomes. |
The flowers of yellow nutsedge are yellowish; the seedhead color of purple nutsedge is red-purple to brown. Both seedheads are on triangular stems. Both spread mainly by germinating underground tubers, which are the only part of the plant that over-winters. A yellow nutsedge tuber can produce 1,900 plants and 7,000 new tubers in a single growing season1. Sedges do well where soil has poor drainage.
Yellow nutsedge is found throughout the United States; purple nutsedge is primarily found in the warm humid southern states.
| Integrated Pest Management Control Recommendations: |
Cultural Practices:
Improve drainage
through core aeration and lightening the soil. Keep turfgrass sites free
from stress and vigorously competitive with sedges. Keep mowing heights
as low as possible in spring and early summer when sedges are most actively
growing. Fertilize cool-season grasses in the fall after frost.
Herbicide Use:
Use a post-emergent herbicide when nutsedge is actively growing. For
best control results, time applications for nutsedge that is in the three-leaf
to flower growth stage.
Gordon's
Recommendations for Yellow Nutsedge
Gordon's
Recommendations for Purple Nutsedge
Germination
Dates for Yellow Nutsedge
Germination Dates for Purple Nutsedge
1Royer, France and Dickinson, Richard, Weeds of the Northern U.S. and Canada, pg. 363, The University of Alberta Press, Alberta, Canada and Lone Pine Publishing, Renton, Washington, 1999.
