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Sedges

Carex spp.

Sedges Location in North America
Sedges Location in Southeast US
sedge flower

sedge drawing
sedge side view
close up sedges


USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.

What are Sedges?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Well-developed
  • Usually flat, but can be folded

Flowers:

  • Several spikelets
  • Grow from axils of upper leaves
  • Some look like a head covered in spikes
  • Spikelets arranged in a spiral around the axis
  • Small flowers

Fruit:

  • One seeded
  • Does not open to release seed when ripe

Stem:

  • Hollow stems
  • Range from 6 inches – 4 feet tall

Roots:

  • Threadlike roots

Where Does it Grow?

Sedges can be found in wet and dry conditions such as marshes or forests.

Pros and Cons of Sedges

Sedges are considered good wildlife plants. Sedges are grazed by muskrats, nutria, and rabbits; while the seeds are consumed by waterfowl and small birds. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

What Type of Sedge Do I Have?

There are many types of sedges (over 100), and they are difficult to identify without using detailed botanical keys. In Texas, there are many common species of sedges, 2 of which are listed below.  Click on the buttons to learn more about each individual species.

Carex longii
Carex lupuliformis
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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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