Cyperus iria L.

Rice Flatsedge; Rice Field Flatsedge

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Rice Flatsedge is an introduced herbaceous annual in the Sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is probably native to Asia, but is now found worldwide. In Alabama it can be found throughout the state. Rice Flatsedge grows in ditches, in wet depressions, in low fields, and in other wet, disturbed habitats. It is a clump forming annual with fibrous reddish-yellow roots. The stems are 3-angled, glabrous, and 1-2 feet in height. Leaves are basal, lance-linear, glabrous, scabrid on the margins and mid-rib, and v-shaped. The leaf sheath is reddish-brown and wraps around the stem. Flowers are produced in open umbels of spikes. The spikes are subtended by 4-7 leaf-like bracts. The spikes are golden-brown in color, sessile, elongate, and spreading. The fruit is an obovoid brown achene. Rice Flatsedge is considered one of the world’s worst weeds. It is a major weed in rice, cotton, soybean and other crops.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FACW (NWPL)

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