Scientific name: Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Haask.

Synonym: Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb.

Common name:Mullimbimby couch

Family: Cyperaceae

Origin:

Native of Australia.

Habit:

Perennial grass-like herb with underground runners, light green seed-heads borne on erect 3-angled stalks up to 40 cm tall.

Habitat:

A native of Australia but considered a weed of coastal areas. Widespread, preferring damp and shady positions. Common in gardens, lawns and disturbed areas.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Plants have brown underground runners which send up smooth ascending stems (growing obliquely at first, then upwards), 5-40 cm tall, 0.5-1.5 mm thick. Leaves are bright green and 1-3 mm wide.

Flowers and fruit

Inflorescences are light green or whitish ovoid spikes, 6-7 x 6-8 mm, with 3 or 4 green bracts at the base, carried on a 3-angled stalk up to 40 cm tall. Spikelets are single-flowered. Seeds are ovoid, yellow to reddish-brown, 1-1.5 mm long with a ‘beak’. Seeds are often enclosed within papery whitish glumes 1.5-3 mm long. Flowers throughout the year.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Grass-like tufted plants. Mullimbimby couch (Cyperus brevifolius) and Kyllinga weed (Cyperus sesquiflorus) are very similar. To distinguish the species note that the former has pale green seed heads and grows runners and the latter has white seed heads and forms tufts.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 3. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Friend, E. (1983). Queensland Weed Seeds. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Anonymous. (1994). Queensland Vacsular Plants: Names and Distribution. Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.