Carex
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks
- Description
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This is a genus with over 2,000 species of grass-like perennial plants called sedges found all over the world. It is in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) and is often known as true sedges. The Genus name is Latin for "cutter" refering to the sharp triangular stem edges found on most members of this genus.
This plant has a wide variety of leaf colors and textures but the leaves are triangular in cross-section. Most species in the genus spread through rhizomes or stolens, but some species grow in tufts. Carex 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.
They are slow-growing and can be more difficult to grow in a landscape setting than ornamental grasses. Sedge can handle light foot traffic. They quickly show signs of stress if they are over-fertilized or over-watered.
Plant them along a border front, in small groups, or use them in containers. Many do well in shade 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.
Additional Carex Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden Paths & Walkways
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Everillo'
EVERCOLOR Registered - 'Silver Sceptre'
Ornamental Japanese sedge with narrow, variagated foliage. Dense, foot high, clumps. Brown flowers.
- 'Everillo'
- 'Everillo', 'Silver Sceptre'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Everillo'
EVERCOLOR Registered - 'Silver Sceptre'
Ornamental Japanese sedge with narrow, variagated foliage. Dense, foot high, clumps. Brown flowers.
- 'Everillo'
- 'Everillo', 'Silver Sceptre'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans have used sedges for weaving baskets and rope, medicinally and making torches
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- 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.
- Edibility:
- The young leaves are edible
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- 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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- A dry, one-seeded indehiscent nutlet, sometimes trifolate.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- 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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Triangular stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Foot Traffic
- Heavy Shade
