Illinois Native Plant Guide

Field Nut Sedge (Yellow Nut Sedge; Chufa)
Cyperus esculentus

Preferred Water Depth and Inundation Tolerance

Tolerates seasonal or occasional flooding, up to 1 foot in depth.

Wildlife Value

Seeds are eaten by waterfowl and other wildlife. Also provides cover for reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. Waterfowl also eat rhizomes.

Application/Zone

Used in lower and upper shoreline zones where water levels fluctuate.

Availability, Establishment, and Maintenance

• Available as seed, rootstock (tuber), or transplants.
• Grows readily from seed on moist soil (mudflats).
• Draw-down stimulates new growth from tubers.
• A common plant of farmed wet areas.

Field Nut Sedge (Yellow Nut Sedge; Chufa)
Cyperus esculentus

Mature Height
1 - 2 feet

Plant Type
Perennial sedge

Indicator Status
Facultative Wet

pH
5.0-7.5

Nutrient Load Tolerance
High

Salt Tolerance
Low

Siltation Tolerance
High

Flowering Color and Time
Yellow
Mid-July - August

Light Preference
Full sun

Seeding Rate
Not available

The following document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader: 
npg_p72-73.pdf [PDF]

<Back to Plant Guide Index
<Back to Plant Guide Table of Contents