Cyperus esculentus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cyperus esculentus
COMMON NAME(S): Yellow nut sedge, chufa
SYNONYM(S):
FAMILY: CYPERACEAE - Sedge family
ORIGIN: Worldwide - origin not known
HABITAT: Lawns, fields, meadows, disturbed areas, chiefly moist areas, many noxious weeds
RANGE:
TYPE:
HEIGHT: 6-12"
CHARACTERISTICS: Stems tufted, 3-angled
LEAVES: Alternate, simple, narrow, grass-like to 8"
FLOWERS: Small, clustered in spikelets arranged in clusters or umbrella-like, with leafy bracts at the base
FLOWERING SEASON: Spring, summer, fall
FRUITS: A small nutlet
ALLERGENIC PRINCIPLES: Pollen allergens
ALLERGENIC PROPERTIES: Respiratory
COMMENTS: The sedges are ubiquitous weeds of moist to wet soil throughout North America, and frequent lawn invaders. Pollen of the introduced C. esculentus L. (chufa or yellow nutsedge) in particular has been implicated in pollinosis. The relatively small number of reports of allergenicity may be a factor of low exposure rather than low reactivity. At least 3 dozen species of Cyperus occur in the southeastern United States.
