Spreading Oval Sedge Carex normalis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks nor-MAL-is
- Description
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Greater straw sedge is a native herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It has a wide distribution across eastern North America. The species epithet is Latin and means "normal," but the reference is obscure.
Plant it in the full sun to partial shade, although it tolerates deep shade. It needs rich, moist to wet soils and especially moist if planted in the full sun. Some temporary flooding is tolerated. This sedge has a clumping habit but can also spread via rhizomes.
To maintain the shape of this plant, cut it back to the ground each winter. It will self-seed easily and can also spread by underground rhizomes. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer.
Mass plant this sedge as a groundcover, or use it as an accent or specimen plant. It works well in a border front and can withstand the shade of woodland garden plantings. It is ideal for riparian areas, rain gardens or pond margins.
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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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- normalis
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North central and eastern U.S.A. and eastern Canada
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
- 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: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 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
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 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:
- The fruit is tiny achenes surrounded by bracts in early summer.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant green flowers on tufted spikes appear late spring to mid-summer. The inflorescence consists of tightly packed spikes on multibranched stems.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- 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:
- Narrow linear leaves that resemble grass blades that are 1/4" wide and 2 feet long that sheath the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Triangular shaped green culms
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Wet Soil
