# tall flatsedge (*Cyperus eragrostis*) Tall flatsedge is a grassy plant that grows in wet areas like marshes and along rivers. It has long, slender stems and can be found in many places, making it a friendly plant for nature explorers! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![tall flatsedge](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cyperus_eragrostis_goldengatepark.jpg&width=800) Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyperus_eragrostis_goldengatepark.jpg) ## Appearance The tall flatsedge has bright green, grass-like leaves and distinctive triangular stems. Its unique umbrella-shaped clusters of small, greenish-brown spikelets bloom at the top, making it stand out from true grasses. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Poales - **Family:** Cyperaceae - **Genus:** Cyperus ## Interesting facts - Globally, there are hundreds of different types of flatsedges, all belonging to the Cyperus family! - Its stems are famously triangular, not round like most grasses—feel it between your fingers! - Some related species are called 'nutgrasses' because they grow edible underground tubers, like tiny nuts! - The 'flatsedge' part of its name comes from how its small, flat seeds are shaped! ## Special abilities - **Water Wiggler:** Tall flatsedge can grow in both wet and moist soils, allowing it to thrive in many watery places. - **Sturdy Stems:** Tall flatsedge has triangular-shaped stems that make it extra strong and resistant to bending in strong winds or currents. - **Seed Spreader:** Tall flatsedge produces many seeds that can float on water, helping it spread its offspring to new watery homes. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-100 cm - **Spread:** 20-40 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Mallard duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Seeds provide food for waterfowl. - **Eats:** [American Coot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-coot) (*Fulica americana*) — Coots forage on its seeds and plant material. - **Eats:** [Muskrat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/muskrat) (*Ondatra zibethicus*) — Muskrats may consume its rhizomes and stems. - **Shelter:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Herons use its dense growth for hunting cover. ## Traits - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult, as some may be prickly or cause allergies. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify tall flatsedge? Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is tall flatsedge? 30-100 cm ### How wide does tall flatsedge spread? 20-40 cm ### How big are the flowers on tall flatsedge? 0.3-1 cm ### When does tall flatsedge bloom? Summer to fall ### Is tall flatsedge edible? No ### Is tall flatsedge toxic? None ### What is tall flatsedge's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Sonoma Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sonoma-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Audubon Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-canyon) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [California State Capitol](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/california-state-capitol) — California, US · Historic District - [Nevada City Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nevada-city-downtown-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see tall flatsedge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tall-flatsedge) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Tall Flatsedge: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tall-flatsedge)