This is a genus with ca. 2,100 species of grass-like perennial plants called sedges found all over the world. The genus is in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) and is distinguished from other members of the family by being monoecious and flowers lacking a perianth. The flowers have a bottle- or urn-like structure (the utricle or perigynium) that surrounds the ovary and, later, the achene. The genus name is Latin for "cutter," referring to the sharp, triangular stem edges found on most members of this genus. Cultural conditions depend on the species: some require full sun, while others thrive in shade. They are slow-growing and can be more difficult to grow in a landscape setting than ornamental grasses. Some sedges can handle light foot traffic. They quickly show signs of stress if they are over-fertilized or over-watered. In cultivation, most sedges are hardy plants, but they can be sensitive to temperature fluctuations and soil conditions. They are also slow to recover from being cut back. Sedges have a wide variety of leaf colors and textures, but the stems are triangular in cross-section (unlike grass stems, which are round). Often, the leaves are distinctly folded along the midvein. Most species in the genus spread through rhizomes or stolons, but some species grow in tufts. The plants in cultivation, especially the ornamental cultivars, are sometimes difficult to assign to species. Putative interspecific hybrids further muddy the taxonomic waters. The group is a difficult one taxonomically. Plant them along a border front, in small groups, or use them in containers. Many do well in shade gardens and rain gardens Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealy bugs, and slugs are rarely a problem. Rust and crown or root rots can occur with over-watering. Species differ in their resistance to phytophthora root and crown rot. See NC Extension publication linked in the sidebar. Additional Carex Image s at Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Annual; Herbaceous Perennial; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Sheath
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf feel
Glossy; Papery; Rough; Smooth
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are composed of a blade, which extends away from the stalk, and a sheath, which encloses part of the stalk. The blade is normally long and flat, but may be folded or absent. The leaves have parallel veins and a distinct midrib and triangular clums. Foliage may be green, red or brown.
Flower form
Solitary; Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Solitary or dense spiklets appear spring to early summer. The defining structure of the genus Carex is the bottle-shaped bract surrounding each female flower containing a the single seeded fruit.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
A dry, one-seeded indehiscent nutlet, sometimes trifolate.
Stem detail
Triangular stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Distribution
Worldwide
Wildlife value
Seeds are a food source for small mammals, ducks, grouse, wild turkeys, songbirds. Larval food source for caterpillars. The leaves provide cover and nestings sites.
Attracts
Butterflies; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Edibility
The young leaves are edible
Uses (ethnobotany)
Native Americans have used sedges for weaving baskets and rope, medicinally and making torches