Carex amplifolia, commonly known as Bigleaf Sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to moist meadows, wetlands, and streambanks within coniferous forests across western North America, from British Columbia to Montana and down to California. It typically grows 20-40 inches tall, with a distinctive appearance featuring reddish-tinted stem bases and broad, roughly hairy leaves that can be up to 0.8 inches wide. The inflorescence is notable for its 5-8 cylindrical spikes, each 4-6 inches long, which are densely packed with hundreds of small, wind-pollinated flowers. Bigleaf Sedge has a relatively long flowering season, extending from late spring through early summer.

In cultivation, Bigleaf Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, water features, and naturalized areas. Its lush foliage and interesting flower spikes add texture to plantings. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread via rhizomes and may need to be managed to prevent unwanted naturalization. It is not commonly afflicted by serious diseases or pests, but root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0