Kyllinga brevifolia
Short leaf spikesedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Kyllinga brevifolia (Short leaf spikesedge) is a non-native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by Recent tropical introduction - represents a pantropical genus not native to temperate North America.
Short leaf spikesedge is a naturalized perennial found in the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and southwestern California in pond edges and moist disturbed areas at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to pale green flowers in small, dense spikes 4 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 2 to 55 centimeters tall, it forms compact clumps in wet habitats. Its leaves are narrow, measuring 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters wide, with prominent midribs and transparent, veined flower bracts. The fruit is a small, elliptic-oblong brown seed approximately 1 to 1.3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Recent tropical introduction - represents a pantropical genus not native to temperate North America
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pond edges, moist disturbed areas
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Butte, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Marin, Kings, Yuba, Tehama
Outside California: tropics, warm temperate, native to tropical America
Bloom period
Kyllinga brevifolia blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Schoenus: Kyllinga has one seed per spike; Schoenus has multiple seeds and blackened sheaths.; vs Cyperus: Kyllinga has tight spherical heads with one seed per spike; Cyperus has loose umbrella clusters with multiple seeds per spike.; vs Dulichium: Kyllinga has terminal globe heads; Dulichium has flowers along the stem at leaf joints.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kyllinga brevifolia native to California?
No. Kyllinga brevifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Kyllinga brevifolia bloom?
Kyllinga brevifolia blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Kyllinga brevifolia grow?
Kyllinga brevifolia occurs in Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Butte, San Francisco and other counties, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Kyllinga brevifolia belong to?
Kyllinga brevifolia is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Kyllinga.
What habitat does Kyllinga brevifolia grow in?
Kyllinga brevifolia grows in Pond edges, moist disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.