Carex
- Description
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Carex is a genus with over 2,000 species of grass-like perennial plants called sedges found all over the world. It is in the Cyperaceae or sedge family and is often known as true sedges. This plant has a wide variety of leaf colors and textures but the leaves are triangular in cross-section. Most species in the genus spread through rhizomes or stolens, but some species grow in tufts. The genus is divided into three main groups.
Asian- Evergreen in mild climates, usually variegated and well adapted to shade. They are suitable for containers and brighten shady corners.
New Zealand- Takes more sun, red-bronze or orange leaves common.
North American-Great lawn alternative for shady locations and restoring disturbed sites.
They are slow growing and can be more difficult to grow in a landscape setting than ornamental grasses. Sedge can handle light foot traffic. They quickly show signs of stress if they are over fertilized or over watered. Plant them along a border front, in small groups or use them in containers.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Carex sedges are a hardy plant, but they can be sensitive to temperature fluctuations and soil conditions. They are also slow to recover from being cut back.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Part Sun-Part Shade Gardens Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Part Sun-Part Shade Gardens Shaded Slope Border Garden- Pathway Shaded Slope Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Border Garden- Pathway
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Sedges have been used for weaving baskets.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Worldwide
- Wildlife Value:
- Seeds are a food source for small mammals, ducks, grouse, wild turkeys, songbirds. Larval food source for caterpillars. The leaves provide cover and nestings sites.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- A dry, one-seeded indehiscent nutlet, sometimes trifolate.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Solitary or dense spiklets appear spring to early summer. The defining structure of the genus Carex is the bottle-shaped bract surrounding each female flower containing a the single seeded fruit.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are composed of a blade, which extends away from the stalk, and a sheath, which encloses part of the stalk. The blade is normally long and flat, but may be folded or absent. The leaves have parallel veins and a distinct midrib and triangular clums. Foliage may be green, red or brown.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Foot Traffic
- Heavy Shade
