Rice Flatsedge (Cyperus Iria)

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family) 

Group: Monocot (Sedge)

Erect annual sedge, native of Eurasia commonly found in wet fields such as rice fields. It has no tubers or rhizomes, which distinguishes it from yellow or purple nutsedges, and is commonly found in rice fields.

Leaves are linear, formed in groups of three (three-ranked), shiny and dark green. Leaf margins are rough towards the tip. Base of the leaves has a membranous sheath.

Stem is triangular in cross section, 8 to 24 inches tall, and tufted.

Flowers or seed heads are at the terminal end of the triangular stems. Flowers are composed of elongated dense spikes with 3 to 7 uneven leaf like bracts, with the lowest longer than the inflorescence. Spikelets of individual spikes are erect or spreading, crowded, and golden brown. Fruit is an achene, seeds are brown.

Roots are fibrous, branched, and yellowish red.

Propagation is by seed.