Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks pen-sill-VAN-ee-ka
- Description
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Pennsylvania sedge is sedge in the Carex family native to thickets and dry woodland areas in North America. It is commonly found near oak trees, hence one of its common names "oak sedge". It grows in loose colonies and has a creeping habit with its reddish-brown roots.
It tolerates heavy shade and wet soils, though its ideal location is dry to moist shade. This plant is a good lawn substitute for shady areas but will not tolerate heavy foot traffic. It forms an ideal turf alternative in dry shade areas, needing mowing only once or twice a season to maintain a 2" height. It also makes a great underplanting for taller perennials. It is semi-evergreen, dying back under very cold temperatures. Identification of individual sedge (Carex) species can be difficult.
While it is native to NC, it tends to perform best in cooler climates.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Smut, rust, and leaf spot are occasional problems along with aphids, Anthracnose, and Fungus gnat larvae.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Small Water Features Entryway Garden, Cabarrus County Extension Demonstration Garden Durham County Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden
- 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
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports various Satyr larvae.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 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 Description:
- Displays from May to June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers bloom from April to 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 Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- 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:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Wet Soil
