Cyperus rotundus L. (subtrop.) – An exceptional and ephemeral alien (from food refuse according to Clement & Foster 1994), found on dumps in Hoboken and Wijnegem in the 1950’s. Recorded on wasteland near a potato storage in Deinze in 2008, apparently introduced with Spanish potatoes (+ 20 specimens). Also a rather typical introduction in imported olive containers from southern Europe (Hoste & al. 2009).Much reminiscent of Cyperus longus but usually of much smaller size with very narrow rhizomes and in general confined to other, rather man-made habitats.
Cyperus rotundus is one of the world’s worst weeds (Holm & al. 1977). Additional information on its potentials in western Europe is available at: http://www.q-bank.eu/Plants/Factsheets/Cyperus%20rotundus%20NL.pdf.
Selected literature
Clement E.J. & Foster M.C. (1994) Alien plants of the British Isles. BSBI, London: XVIII + 590 p.
Holm L., Plucknett D., Pancho J. & Herberger J. (1977) The world’s worst weeds: distribution and biology. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu: XII + 609 p.
Hoste I., Verloove F., Nagels C., Andriessen L. & Lambinon J. (2009) De adventievenflora van in België ingevoerde mediterrane containerplanten. Dumortiera 97: 1-16.
Wills G.D. (1987) Description of purple and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus and C. esculentus). Weed Technol. 1: 2-9.
Wills G.D. (1998) Comparison of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) from around the world. Weed Technol. 12: 491-503.