Hop Sedge Carex lupulina
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks loop-yoo-LEE-nuh
- Description
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Hop sedge is a native herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is found in eastern North America, from Canada to Mexico, in bottomland forested areas. The species epithet is a reference to the resemblance of the spikes to the inflorescences of hops (Humulus lupulus).
Hop sedge prefers full sun to light shade in moist to wet clay loam, silty loam, or sandy loam soils with some organic matter. In conditions suitable for its growth, hop sedge is trouble-free and easy to grow.
This plant is an excellent choice for bank stabilization, wet sites and water gardens. It helps to filter water and improve the water quality of ponds, as well as providing cover and food for wildlife. Use hop sedge in a native garden, water garden, or wildlife garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- lupulina
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NS , ON , QC
- 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
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Clusters of achenes are wrapped in a casing (perigynium), subtended by a scale and contain several seeds. Displays from July to October
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- There are separate male and female spikes of flowers. The terminal male spike is about 3 inches long and is surrounded by smaller secondary spikes. Below them are the female spikes that are 3 inches long with lower spikes up to 7 inches long. At the base of each female spike is a leaf-like bract that is 5 to 20 inches long. Blooms from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Fine-textured narrow, grass-like leaves that are dark green in color. The papery leaf sheaths are U to V-shaped at the tip and loosely wrap the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Triangular stems can range in color from green to brown.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
