Description

• Cyperus esculentus, commonly known as yellow nutsedge, chufa, or tiger nut sedge, is a perennial grass-like plant in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It has slender, upright, triangular stems and narrow, grass-like leaves. Its small, yellowish-brown flowers grow in clusters of spikelets beneath several leaf-like bracts. The plant spreads through underground rhizomes that produce small, edible, nut-like tubers, which are cultivated as food in some regions and are also eaten by wildlife.

Range

• Cyperus esculentus is native to parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia, with its original range complicated by extensive cultivation and dispersal. It is now widespread in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide, including Mexico. It is established in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Yellow nutsedge grows in moist, sunny habitats, including wetlands, pond margins, drainage ditches, irrigated fields, gardens, and disturbed ground. It favours moist or poorly drained soils but can persist in a range of conditions. Its underground tubers allow it to survive unfavourable periods and spread readily, making it a persistent agricultural weed in many regions.