IDENTIFICATION
Provincial Noxious. Perennial sedge.
Purple nutsedge has unbranched, upright stems that carry umbrella-like
clusters of purple to brown spikelet-shaped
flowers at the ends. It has a narrow, grass-like leaf with a prominent
rib, that is just slightly shorter than the stems. A multi-branched root
system bears many, bitter-tasting tubers connected in chains. Mature plants
are 30 to 60 cm tall.
DAMAGE
Nutsedges are among the most difficult weeds to control and can
rapidly colonize turf, ornamental areas, pastures, and cultivated fields.
It is a highly competitive plant because of its upright growth habit,
root system, and rapid growth. This plant is well adapted to wet, sandy
soils, and poses a threat to riverbank areas where disturbance has depleted
the native plant community.
HABITAT
Purple nutsedge is well adapted to moist conditions and sandy soil
such as ditches. It is not yet present in British Columbia, but it is
widely distributed in California.
SPREAD
Plants spread from underground stems.
Nutlets have been found as contaminants in the rootstock of imported
nursery species.
