Sallow sedge is a native herbaceous perennial in the carex family (Cyperaceae) that has a broad distribution in wetlands across eastern North America (including eastern Mexico), parts of the Caribbean, and northern South America. The species epithet is the Latin word for a color that is usually described as muddy or dirty yellow and likely refers to the color of the fruits as they dry. Sallow sedge is a sun-lover, but it will tolerate partial shade. It needs plenty of moisture. It is unfussy about soil type, as long as it is moist. This species looks good and keeps growing even in mid-summer, when many of the cool-season sedges go dormant. It is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial with bright green leaves that grow to a maximum height of 3 feet. The yellowish fruiting spikelets are prominent and showy and attract seed-eating wildlife. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer. This is a great sedge for a pond margin or riparian site, in a native plant garden or woodland garden. It can even grow in shallow standing water. It is an ideal candidate for a rain garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. More information on Carex .
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.
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial; Native Plant; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
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
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping; Dense; Erect
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf feel
Papery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Green; Insignificant
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Fruit value
Long-lasting; Showy
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America, Dominica Republic & northern South America.
Distribution
Maine to Minnesota; Texas to Florida.
Wildlife value
This plant supports larvae of certain satyrine butterflies (Nymphalidae-Satyrinae). Birds and small mammals consume the achenes and use the plants for cover.