Nutgrass

The common name of nutgrass is misleading, as nutgrass is not a grass. Nutgrass is part of a large family of flowering plants, often referred to as sedges and rushes. There are a number of nutgrass or nutsedge species that occur in many parts of the world. In Australia, a number of species are found, but Cyperus esculentus (Yellow nutsedge) and Cyperus rotundus (Nutgrass) are problematic. Yellow nutsedge is rhizomatous perennial plant with slender rhizomes (globose to ovoid tubers c. 10 mm diam., with yellow-brown, smoothish or slightly fibrous coat), while nutgrass has ovoid to ellipsoid tubers 5–10 mm diam., woody, with deciduous grey-brown fibrous coat. Cyperus eragrostis is a tufted perennial, with very short rhizomes. Please see links for identification of individual species. Cyperus rotundus (Nutgrass) is significant issue for crop cultivation; it rapidly produces rhizomes and spread substantially. Nutgrass growth is vigorous and it competes for water and nutrients. It is also reported to have allelopathic properties - reducing growth of other plants. Nutgrass is often observed in orchards, particularly in the interrow area following disturbance or cultivation.