COMPARISON OF PURPLE NUTSEDGE (CYPERUS-ROTUNDUS) FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Purple nutsedge collections from 13 states within the continental Unit ed States and from 21 other locations around the world were studied to compare their reproduction and morphological characteristics. Differe nces occurred in the number of shoots produced from single tubers, the number of leaves per shoot, and the length and width of leaves. Diffe rences were also found with respect to flowering, length of culms supp orting the inflorescences, and number, length, and width of involucral bracts at the apex of the culms. Variations occurred in the flower pa rts, including the number and length of rachises and the length of rac hillae and spikelets. There were differences in the growth patterns of the leaves, with some collections having leaves mostly erect and othe rs having leaves Lie more closely to the ground. The color of the leav es varied between light and dark green, and the color of the infloresc ence varied between Light and dark purplish-brown. Greater variation w as found among plants from different locations around the world than f rom within the continental United States.