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Hop Sedge Carex lupulina

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
KAY-reks loop-yoo-LEE-nuh
Description

Hop Sedge is a native perennial sedge in the Cyperacae family.  It is found from Canada to Mexico in bottomland forested areas.

Hop sedge prefers full sun to light shade in moist to wet clay loam, silty loam, or sandy loam soils with some organic matter.

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 your pond.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small mammals#NC native#pollinator plant#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains OBL#native sedge#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#HS302#Audubon#various satyr butterfly#banks#ponds#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small mammals#NC native#pollinator plant#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains OBL#native sedge#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#HS302#Audubon#various satyr butterfly#banks#ponds#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn#woodland
  • 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 various Satyr larvae.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
  • 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 Drainage:
    Moist
    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
  • 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
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    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.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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