Seersucker Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Seersucker Sedge:
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks pen-sill-VAN-ee-ka
- Description
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Pennsylvania sedge is an herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) native to thickets and dry woodland areas in eastern North America, including North Carolina. Its species epithet is an accepted Latinization of Pennsylvania, the state where it was first collected and described.
Pennsylvania sedge tolerates heavy shade and wet soils, though its ideal location is dry to moist shade. It does not want full sun. Pennsylvania sedge is semi-evergreen, dying back under very cold temperatures. While it is native to NC, it tends to perform best in cooler climates.
The taxonomy of the sedges (Carex spp.) is difficult, and identifying the species requires careful study. There is some indication that the southern population of this species, including those naturally occurring in North Carolina, belong to a different, as yet undescribed species.
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-inch height. It also makes a great underplanting for taller perennials. Use it in a native, woodland, or winter garden. It would also work well in a children’s garden or a sensory garden.
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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- 'Straw Hat'
Dwarf plants with shower inflorescences
- 'Straw Hat'
- 'Straw Hat'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Straw Hat'
Dwarf plants with shower inflorescences
- 'Straw Hat'
- 'Straw Hat'
- 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 larvae of certain satyrine butterflies (Nymphalidae-Satyrinae). Birds and small mammals consume the achenes and use the plants for cover.
- 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
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- 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 Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from May to June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- 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 Feel:
- Papery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- 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
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Wet Soil
