Carex squarrosa

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Carex squarrosa

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Kemper Code: J680

Common Name: squarrose sedge
Zone: 4 to 6
Plant Type: Rush or Sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Missouri Native: Yes
Native Range: Eastern and central United States
Height: 1.5 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: April - September
Bloom Color: Green
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Wet
Maintenance: Low

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Carex squarrosa grows well in full sun to partial shade. It needs moist soil such as in a wet meadow or lake margin, even tolerating flooding.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This sedge is found in eastern Missouri on the wet soils of swampy meadows and woods, flood plains, and wet prairies. Its narrow grass-like leaves grow up to 2' in height. The showy seedheads are thimble-shaped and remain on the plant all summer.

Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.

The foliage may become less attractive or die back in summer.

Uses:

This sedge is good for stream bank restoration and for growing in areas with consistently wet soil such as around water gardens, lake margins, or wet meadows. Due to its shade tolerance, it is also useful in wooded areas but may require additional water.