Mottu thana Cyperus kyllingia

Common name : Mottu thana

Scientific Name: Cyperus kyllingia

Family               : Cyperaceae

Life cycle          :  Annual

Morphological characteristics

• A smooth plant, with creeping underground stems
• Leaves many, short; leaf sheaths , thin, membranous, pale to purplish.
• Flower stems often 3 to 18 inches high, ridged, soft, with three to four dark brown leafy bracts at the top
• Spike 1 (rarely 2 to 3), ovoid to round, 1/4 inch in diameter; spikelets white, numerous, 1- to 2-flowered; flower scales membranous, strawlike. 
• Fruit: a nut, brown
• Agricultural importance             
• A weed in waste and grassy places

Propagation                                

• By seed and underground stems

Uses                                           

• Occasionally used as a lawn grass in shady areas

Control methods            

• Deep and timely plowing to a depth of 25-30cm ; deep and frequent interrow treatments of the ground before closing of plants
• Sowing of lucerne