Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii
Nut grass
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii (Nut grass) is a native California perennial in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by wide deltate bracts and erect spikelets.
Nut grass is a California native perennial found in the Peninsular Ranges in disturbed soils, cropland, and riverbanks at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces small spikelets with ascending-erect clusters. Growing 20 to 25 centimeters tall with delicate stems, it forms dense ground-covering clumps. Its flower bracts are distinctive, measuring 2.4 to 2.6 millimeters long and 1.7 to 1.8 millimeters wide, with a triangular-ovate shape. The plant features tiny anthers approximately 1.2 millimeters long with short styles and stigmas.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; wide deltate bracts and erect spikelets help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Probably disturbed soils, cropland, riverbanks
Elevation: < 1200 m
Outside California: Utah, Florida, Mexico
Bloom period
Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii blooms Summer.
How to tell it apart
vs Carex: Cyperus has umbrella clusters with flat spikes; Carex has brown/green spikelets with seeds in individual flasks.; vs Scirpus: Cyperus has flattened ribbon-like spikes; Scirpus has rounded, cylindrical spikelets.; vs Juncus: Cyperus has triangular stems and flat flower spikes; Juncus has round stems and individual flowers.; vs Sticherus: Cyperus is a sedge with triangular stem; Sticherus is a fern with fronds.; vs Eleusine: Cyperus has triangular stems; Eleusine is a grass with round stems and obvious grass flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii native to California?
Yes. Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii bloom?
Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii blooms Summer.
What plant family does Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii belong to?
Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Cyperus.
What habitat does Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii grow in?
Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii grows in Probably disturbed soils, cropland, riverbanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.