Numerous sedge species are found throughout Kansas. Most are categorized in the genus Cyperus or Carex. Yellow nutsedge is among the more troublesome species and was introduced from Eurasia. Sedges are typically found in moist sites, and in some cases may be an indicator of poor soil drainage. Sedges are either annual or perennial plants. Yellow nutsedge is a perennial that reproduces primarily by tubers. Yellow nutsedge tubers are a food source for wildlife (notably ducks and turkey) and, in some places, humans. The name chufa is generally used for the plant when it is cultivated.
The key feature for sedges is a triangular stem. Most of the leaves come from the base of the plant and reach about the same height. Yellow nutsedge grows about 1 to 2½ feet tall. One of the features that distinguishes yellow nutsedge from others is that the leaves taper to a point (purple nutsedge leaves have relatively blunt tips). The yellowish-colored inflorescence (seed head) is a more distinguishing feature; many other sedges have darker inflorescences in shades of reddish-brown to reddish-purple. A yellow nutsedge inflorescence contains many spikelets that are around ½ to 1 inch long. Each spikelet contains many seeds contained in three-sided achenes (similar to a sunflower seed). There are a few leaf-like bracts immediately below the inflorescence. Yellow nutsedge tubers are brown and pea-shaped, about ½ to ¾ inch long. Individual tubers grow at the end of the rhizomes (purple nutsedge tubers grow in chains).
