Blue Wood Sedge Carex flaccosperma
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks fla-koh-SPER-ma
- Description
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Meadow sedge is a native herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is found in the central and southeastern parts of the US, from Virginia to Kansas and Texas to Florida, in forests and low-lying areas with well-drained soil. The species epithet is compounded from the Greek meaning “thin seed.”
Meadow sedge prefers dappled to partial shade and moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter. It likes constant moisture and does not want to dry out.
Some individuals have a slight bluish iridescence that is best appreciated in diffuse, low light.
Use this plant in rock gardens, shady borders or woodlands. It makes an excellent ground cover when planted en masse. It is a good plant for stream or pond margins.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Durham County Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- flaccosperma
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and southeastern U.S.A.
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from June to July.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from May to June
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
