Hello, I am Nutgrass

Botanical Name

Cyperus rotundus

DESCRIBE YOURSELF

I am called Nutgrass as I am tall grass-like plant with a deep-rooted nut. However, I am not actually a grass but a sedge. I have triangular leaves instead of flat blades like grasses do.

As a weed, I spread mainly through underground runners, which connect a network of nuts. However, I also flower and disperse seeds through wind dispersion and by sticking to clothes or animal fur. I can be very difficult to eradicate. If you just pull me up by my leaves, I release the leaves, but leave the underground nut. Unless you also dig out this nut, I will replace those leaves and grow stronger in the process.

WHAT I’M TELLING YOU

As a weed, I am great in taking advantage of the poor condition of your soil. I grow best in acidic, compacted.soils that are deficient in calcium. And, as a Sedge, I really love soils that are constantly moist! Correct your soils and I will no longer be a problem.

BENEFITS

My deep root may annoy you, and I can’t claim to being a beneficial weed, however my nuts are actually highly nutritious. I have good levels of protein and iron. And I’m high in anti-oxidants! If you can be bothered digging up my nuts, you can roast them. They taste a bit like hazelnuts.

CONTROLLING NUTGRASS

I am best controlled by listening to what I’m telling you about your soil condition! I like to grow in compacted.soils that are deficient in calcium. What I really love are soils that are acidic (ie pH of 5 to 6.5). Adjust the pH by adding lime or dolomite.

Otherwise try hand weeding. Just make sure you dig deep enough to remove all my underground nuts, as I can reproduce from any corm left behind. This can be a difficult job as the nuts can be 20cm or more below the surface. I am very good at releasing my leaves to trick you into believing you have killed me, but return even stronger.

I can also be controlled by using a biodynamic pepper ( see Biodynamic Peppers) However, weed peppers work best when combined with a weed tea. Weed teas take the nutrients I have accumulated in my leaves and feed them back to the soil.

I do not respond to being sprayed with any weed killers.