Cyperus esculentus var. heermannii

Nut grass

Family: Cyperaceae · Type: perennial · Native

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.

Habitat: Probably disturbed soils, cropland, riverbanks

Bloom period: Summer

Elevation: < 1200 m

Bioregions: PR

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.