straw-colored flatsedge
Cyperus strigosus
Like most sedges, this species follows the botanical adage 'sedges have edges'—its solid stems are sharply triangular in cross-section.
- Scientific name
- Cyperus strigosus
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Poales › Cyperaceae › Cyperus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Wet meadows, marshes, lake shores, ditches, and damp disturbed ground.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis utilizing sunlight, water, and soil nutrients).
- Range
- United States, Canada, Mexico
- Size
- 20 to 100 cm (8 to 40 inches) tall
- Lifespan
- Perennial (typically 3-5+ years per clump)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Wetland destruction, habitat fragmentation, and displacement by aggressive invasive plant species.
- Safe to approach?
- This plant is entirely harmless and safe to touch. You can closely observe its unique triangular stems and golden seed heads. No special precautions are needed, but avoid trampling delicate wetland habitats.
Cyperus strigosus is a species of sedge known by the common names false nutsedge and straw-colored flatsedge . It is native to the United States, Cuba, and Canada, where it grows in wet areas in many habitat types, including disturbed and cultivated areas such as roadsides and crop fields. It is common and sometimes weedy. It is a perennial sedge growing up to 70 centimeters tall. The inflorescence is a cluster of many linear-shaped spikelets up to...
Photo: Michael J. Papay, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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