Brome-like Sedge

Carex bromoides (KAY-reks bro-MOY-deez)

Family: Cyperaceae Native Herbaceous (3-15 ft)

Common brome sedge is an herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is native to a large portion of eastern North America from New Brunswick west to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas. The species epithet means "like Bromus [a genus of grass]." This sedge requires moist to wet soils, some organic matter, and does best in partial shade. It will tolerate shallow, standing water for a short amount of time. It can tolerate more sun exposure if soils stay moist, but it does not do well in clay soils. In natural settings, it occurs in various wetlands, including bogs, swamp forests, and seepages, often in basic soils. Within NC, it is most frequent in the Mountains. This is an ideal plant for rain gardens and pond edges. It provides benefits like other wetland plants, including bank stabilization and water filtration. Like other native sedges, it is ecologically important and utilized by a variety of animals. Common brome sedge forms dense tufts of culms with narrow basal leaves. It can spread by underground rhizomes. It does not spread by runners, but forms single clumps which expand slowly in size. Mature clumps take on a gently arching habit, and can grow to 1 foot in height with a 20 inch spread. The inflorescence is rather narrow and located at the summit of each culm. It consists of 3-8 spikelets, each consisting of 6-18 female florets. Male florets, when present, are below the female florets on the spikelet. Two subspecies are recognized: ssp. bromoides is widespread, while ssp. montana is restricted to the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The latter differs in having wider culms, wider leaf blades, and a more dense habit, among other subtle differences. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. More information on Carex .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 49 attributes.