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Rhynchospora latifolia is often confused with:
Rhynchospora colorata Rhynchospora colorata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Clethra alnifolia Clethra alnifolia
Coreopsis gladiata Sickle tickseed found in Pender County, NC.
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus

Giant White Top Rhynchospora latifolia

Previously known as:

  • Dichromena latifolia
Phonetic Spelling
RIN-koh-SPOR-uh lat-ee-FOH-lee-uh
Description

White Bracted Sedge is a native plant found in the coastal plains from NC south to FL and west to TX in wet, open areas, depressions, marshes and ditches. It is an unusual native sedge with white star-shaped blooms that sit above the grass-like foliage and is best used in large numbers to create a field of white flowers. It will bloom all throughout the summer and needs partial to full sun.

It requires moist, acidic, sandy or peaty soil and is best used in marshes, a rain garden, bogs or pond edges. It can also be grown in containers.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#white flowers#sedge#wetlands#pond margins#NC native#summer flowers#long bloom time#star shaped flowers#native water plant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#native sedge#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#white flowers#sedge#wetlands#pond margins#NC native#summer flowers#long bloom time#star shaped flowers#native water plant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#native sedge#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#boggy sites
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rhynchospora
    Species:
    latifolia
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Coastal plain from NC to s.e. TX
    Distribution:
    AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 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
    Water Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 9a, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Two-sided brown nutlet. Displays from June to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Description:
    7-10 large bracts surround the less-conspicuous yellow inflorescence. The bracts are white at the base, becoming green at the tips. They appear on a terminal head-like cluster of spikelets that overtop the leaves. Blooms from May to September
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow pointed grass-like leaves are linear with entire margins. Stem leaves are smaller than basal leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green stems 12-36 inches
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals