Definition

Noun: 1. A type of perennial sedge: A widely distributed, tough, grass-like plant (sedge) that produces small, edible, nut-like tubers underground. It is often considered a persistent weed in gardens and agricultural fields.

Usage

• As a common noun (usually uncountable): Refers to the plant species as a whole or as a category of weed.
  • The farmer struggled to eradicate the nutgrass from his cotton field.
  • This herbicide is effective against nutgrass and other perennial weeds.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In formal or scientific contexts, "nutgrass" is often used to describe the plant's invasive characteristics and its hard-to-remove tuber system.
  • The nutgrass infestation reduced the crop yield significantly.

Variants and Related Words

• Nut grass: An alternative spelling, often written as two words.
• Nutsedge: A more common synonym, especially in American English and horticulture.
• Cyperus rotundus: The scientific (Latin) name for the most common and invasive species referred to as nutgrass.

Synonyms

• Nutsedge: The most direct synonym.
• Coco-grass: A regional name.
• Java grass: Another regional name.

Notes

• Important Distinction: While "nutgrass" contains the word "grass," it is botanically a sedge, not a true grass. Sedges typically have solid, triangular stems, while grasses have round, hollow stems. This is often remembered by the rhyme: "Sedges have edges, and grasses have knees."
• Edible Part: The "nutlike tubers" are small, underground growths that store energy for the plant. While edible, they are not a common food source and are primarily noted for making the plant difficult to control.

Noun

1. a widely distributed perennial sedge having small edible nutlike tubers