Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Description
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Pennsylvania sedge is native to thickets and dry woodland areas in North America. It is commonly found near oak trees, hence on of its common names "oak sedge". It grows in loose colonies and has a creeping habit with its reddish brown roots. Tolerates heavy shade and wet soils though its ideal location is dry shade. It forms an ideal turf alternative in dry shade areas needing mowing only once or twice a sesaon to maintain a 2" height. Also makes a great underplanting for taller perennials. It is semi-evergreen, dying back under very cold temperatures. Idenfitification of individual sedge (Carex) speices can be difficult.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Smut, rust, and leaf spot, are occasional problems. No serious insect or disease problems.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- pensylvanica
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Creeping
- Texture:
- Fine
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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)
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Flowers bloom in May. Plants are monoecious, male flowers appear in spiklets above the female flowers. Inflorescences are at the tip of rough, triangular stems. Staminate scales are green with reddish-purple with white margins. Pistillate scales are dark brown to purple-black with green midribs and white margins.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- 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 Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Wet Soil
