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Rhynchospora colorata is often confused with:
Rhynchospora latifolia Native habitat
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Eutrochium maculatum Eupatorium maculatum
Rudbeckia laciniata Rudbeckia laciniata
Solidago sempervirens Form

Starrush Whitetop Rhynchospora colorata

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Dichromena colorata
Phonetic Spelling
RIN-koh-SPOR-uh kol-oh-RAH-tuh
Description

Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge is an evergreen grasslike native perennial found in wet coastal areas, dunes, and along roadsides and ditches. It grows in a wide variety of soils, with or without good drainage, sometimes found growing submerged in shallow waters.

It resembles a grass with daisy-like flowers with long, drooping, pointed petals. 

It spreads by rhizomes.  The plant should be divided when the clumps become too large.  Cutting back in the winter makes way for a flush of spring growth.  

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#sedge#NC native#deer resistant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#native sedge#humidity tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
 
Rhynchospora colorata
Flowers Judy Gallagher CC BY 2.0
Rhynchospora colorata
Habit Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Rhynchospora colorata
Leaves and flower Dick Culbert CC BY 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#sedge#NC native#deer resistant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#native sedge#humidity tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rhynchospora
    Species:
    colorata
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern U.S.A., Mexico, South America
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    Attractive to bees and butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from June to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The 2-3" cone-shaped green-tipped white flowers bloom from May to September.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil