Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus
Yellow nutsedge
Photo: parent species Cyperus esculentus · (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus (Yellow nutsedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by large size, long spikelets, and coastal habitat distinctive.
Yellow nutsedge is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal regions in dunes, disturbed soil, and cropland at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces small, spreading spikelets 10 to 40 millimeters long with narrow flower bracts. Growing 40 to 70 centimeters tall with an erect habit, it forms clusters of slender stems emerging from underground tubers. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, arranged in clusters around the stem base. The fruit is small, approximately 1.7 millimeters long, with distinctive narrow flower bracts characteristic of sedge species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; large size, long spikelets, and coastal habitat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dunes, disturbed soil, cropland
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: eastern and southern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America
Bloom period
Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus 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. macrostachyus native to California?
Yes. Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus bloom?
Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus blooms Summer.
What plant family does Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus belong to?
Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Cyperus.
What habitat does Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus grow in?
Cyperus esculentus var. macrostachyus grows in Dunes, disturbed soil, cropland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.