Native to the majority of the world including most of the US, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
6 inches to 2 feet tall
Leaves are long, glossy and light green, generally congregating to a single or few points near the base.
Grows very quickly, spreads by rhizomes and tubers
Does best in moist, loamy soils characteristic of wetlands, but fares well most soil textures, acidities, and moisture conditions.
High edibility value
Has the potential to be weedy
Wetland indicator FACW (facultative wetland)
Hardiness zone 8-10
Sentimental and Symbolic Value
It is a staple food in most African and Middle Eastern cultures, including in Egypt where the local name for it is حب العزيز (Hab el-Aziz), or "the grain of Al-Aziz". It is named for the 10th century Fatmid Caliph, al-Aziz Billah, who was reportedly very fond of it. There is evidence of it having been important in Egyptian culture for far longer, as the tomb of the Egyptian nobleman Rekhmire (c. 15th century BC) has a mural of the plant, and dry tubers appear in tombs as early as the Predynastic Period (around 3000 BC).
The popular Spanish drink horchata de chufa, also known as orxata de xufa in Valencian or kunna aya in various West African countries, is made of yellow nutsedge root. Horchata has recently became very popular in Western countries, especially alcoholic and coffee-like varieties
Specimen photographed found at Lost Lake, Groton, Massachusetts. Part of the Shoreline Plants assignment (10/20/2021)
Plant History and Etymology
The genus Cyperus is derived from the Greek kúpeiros, which refers to an edible rhizomatous tuber similar to ginger, while the specific epithet esculentus means "edible" in Latin. The yellow nutsedge has long been used as a staple food in every region in which it was common. It was first cultivated around the 4th century BC in Egypt. The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked, with a sweet, nutty flavor, or soaked and ground into a thick beverage known as horchata. There is some evidence that it is usefil in treating boils, colds, stomach aches and other common illnesses.
Design Considerations
The yellow nutsedge is a common native grass all over the US, and makes a good addition to an edible garden or rain garden. Due to its hardy nature and preference for wetlands, it can be a good early colonized of disturbed coastal soils and groundcover for a planted wetland. However it is very aggressive and sometimes weedy, and is a noted problem for summer and autumn crops such as cotton, rice, beans, tomatoes, melons, and carrots. Although not generally considered weedy in the US, it is globally considered one of the top 20 worst weeds. Therefore it should be planted with caution especially if it is near a farm or any delicate planting.
Sources
“USDA Plants Database.” 2021. Usda.gov. 2021. https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=CYES.
“Cyperus Esculentus (Chufa Flatsedge, Chufa Sedge, Earth Almond, Tiger Nut, Yellow Nut-Grass, Yellow Nutsedge) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” 2021. Ncsu.edu. 2021. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cyperus-esculentus/.
Wikipedia Contributors. 2021. “Cyperus Esculentus.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. September 25, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperus_esculentus.
Hembree, Kurt. 2003. “History and Biology of Yellow and Purple Nutsedge.” Proceedings of the California Weed Science Society 55. http://www.cwss.org/uploaded/media_pdf/7445-040_2003.pdf.