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Deep Rooted Sedge

Cyperus enterianus

Other Common Names

Woodrush flat sedge

Plant Category

Grass and Sedge

Invasive Description

Deep Rooted Sedge, native to South America, is a perennial grass-like plant, up to 40 inches high. Its leaves are cross-sectionally V-shaped and glossy. Leaf bases are distinctly purplish-black. Stems are strongly 3-sided and are connected by thick rhizomes. The inflorescence is terminal and consists of 5 – 11 groups of densely clustered spikelets, which are greenish-white. It is an aggressive seed producer; large plants can produce 1 million viable seeds/year.

Ecological Threat

Deep Rooted Sedge rapidly spreads from disturbed to natural areas. It can form monocultures, displacing native vegetation in the habitats it invades. Construction, agricultural activities, and roadside mowing spread the seeds and disperse this plant to new areas. Once established, it out competes native grasses and sedges, threatening local plant biodiversity. It alters habitat for the endangered Attwater’s Prairie Chicken.

You may not want or need to replace this invasive plant, but if you do, options are listed below.
 

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions