Madagascar umbella sedge

Family: Cyperaceae
Scientific name: Cyperus alterniflorus
Description: Plant Form Creeping annual herb. Size Up to 2 m tall. Stem Cylindrical, rough, green. Leaves Alternating along stem, up to 8 cm long and wide, nearly hairless upper, hairy to bristly below, deeply lobed. Flowers Small, yellow, inconspicuous to 6 mm diameter, in clusters of 2-4. Fruit and Seeds Green to yellow elliptical melon, occasionally striped or mottled, with soft and often hooked spines. Habitat Grassy areas, open woodlands, roadsides, streams. Distinguishing Features Similar to Afghan melon (Citrullus lanatus) which has larger fruit (up to 15 cm diameter) without spines, and also larger brown seeds. Weed Status: Other Weed Weed Type: Common Lifeform: Grassy

Example images for this weed