White-Topped Sedge Rhynchospora latifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called White-Topped Sedge:
Previously known as:
- Dichromena latifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- RIN-koh-SPOR-uh lat-ee-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Water Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Two-sided brown nutlet. Displays from June to October.
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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
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green stems 12-36 inches
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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
