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Sedges are annual or mostly perennial grass-like plants with aerial flower-bearing stems. In annual forms, the stem can be alone or, more often, grouped with basal leaves. Perennial forms have a thick rootstock or an erect to horizontal underground rhizome usually with shortened internodes. Sedges usually have triangular stems with leaves arranged in groups of three and are similar to grasses in many attributes. Sedge species may be found in a wide range of conditions, ranging from very wet to dry and in many soil types. In sedges, as well as grasses, the seedhead will be produced at the end of an aerial, erect stem. This three-sided stem is usually solitary and will be tufted with basal leaves. Root systems are fibrous, including species such as yellow and purple nutsedge, which produce rhizomes and tubers. Flowers are extremely small and numerous and arranged in spikelets atop the stem.