Carex laxiculmis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks laks-ih-KULM-is
- Description
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Spreading sedge is a native grass-like herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cypereaceae). It is found in Canada, through the central and southeastern United States, in the rich soils of forests, slopes, and floodplains. The species epithet is Latin for “lax stem” and refers to the inflorescences that are borne at an angle of more than 45 degrees from the vertical.
Spreading sedge is an easy-to-grow woodland plant. It likes partial or dappled shade and can even tolerate deep shade. It needs moist, humus-rich soil and does not mind occasional periods of wet soil. Nevertheless, it is drought-tolerant once established. It will tolerate dry shade.
Grow spreading sedge in a woodland garden, a native garden or a wildlife garden (this species is used as a food plant for certain caterpillars). It can be used as a border plant or ground cover. It will grow in a container.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Bunny Blue'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Bunny Blue'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- laxiculmis
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada, 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Spreading
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from May to July.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from April to June
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- 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:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
