Cylindric Sedge

Cyperus retrorsus

Cylindric Sedge is a perennial grassy weed that is also known as Pinebarren Flatsedge or by its scientific name, Cyperus retrorsus. This lawn weed can thrive in a number of climates—from moist to very dry.

Identify

Bunch

Sedge

Cylindric Sedge can be identified as a perennial grassy weed with densely tufted stems. It features flat, smooth blades that are bright green in color. Its seed head branches at the top of the stem and includes tight cylindrical clusters of seeds, which usually point down. Cylindric Sedge produces seeds from summer into fall. This lawn weed may produce rhizomes, though it most commonly reproduces by seeds.

Life Cycle

This grassy weed commonly occurs in lawns and most other sandy habitats, ranging from moist to very dry. Cylindric Sedge thrives throughout much of the southeastern and parts of the western United States. These perennial grassy weeds can germinate and spread from seeds, but they also produce a root structure (tubers, bulbs or corms) that can birth new weeds from your lawn’s surface (using stolons) or from underground (using rhizomes). Perennial grassy weeds live two or more years and have a deeper root structure that can give rise to new weeds—even if you no longer see the weeds in your lawn.

Control

Cultural control methods—such as hand-pulling lawn weeds or proper watering and mowing—are typically not effective methods for removing Cylindric Sedge from your lawn or landscaping. For effective weed removal, professionally selected and applied weed control treatments are your best bet for eradication.