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5/5/08 | Honey bees
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) is classed among the world's worst weeds. Sometimes called yellow nutgrass, this aggressive warm-season perennial looks like a grass, but it is in the sedge family.
A North American native, one tuber of yellow nutsedge can produce almost 150 tubers in 14 weeks and can infest an area 6-1/2 feet in diameter. After one year, the tuber can produce almost 2,000 plants and more than 6,000 tubers. Yellow nutsedge can be found in grassy areas like lawns and golf courses, vegetable gardens and other sunny places. Yellow nutsedge does well in moist areas.
Early detection is crucial. Luckily, yellow nutsedge is fairly easy to identify. It grows 6 inches to 2-1/2 feet tall. Stems are erect, triangular-shaped and yellow-green in color. Most of the leaves grow from the base of the stem. Leaves are produced in groups of three. They are linear, have a prominent midrib and waxy covering, and taper to a point. Flowers are yellowish-brown and look like a series of spikes.
The plants have branched fibrous roots. Reproduction is primarily by the popcorn kernel-sized tubers that can remain viable for 10 or more years. It also produces seeds.
Control is difficult and should be started as soon as plants are discovered. One-shot weed control will not work, and multiple applications will be necessary. Traditional annual grass weed or broadleaf weed control products will not control yellow nutsedge. Specific herbicides are required for control. Herbicides are most effective on young, actively growing plants. Hand pulling young weeds can help, but this must be done repeatedly because tubers and nutlets often break off and remain underground.
Updated 1/17/08