Wheat Sedge
(Carex atherodes)
Wheat Sedge (Carex atherodes)
/
/
Reuven Martin
Public Domain
Image By:
Reuven Martin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Reuven Martin | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Reuven Martin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-06-22T10:08:43-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carex atherodes, commonly known as Wheat Sedge, is a semi-deciduous perennial grass native to a variety of wetland habitats including marshes, wet meadows, and along the edges of ponds and streams in North America, as well as similar wetland areas in Central Europe, East Asia, and Scandinavia. It typically grows 30 to 120 centimeters tall with distinctive triangular, hollow stems. The foliage is characterized by hairy leaves, particularly on the lower parts, and leaf sheaths that exhibit a reddish-purple tint. Wheat Sedge’s inflorescence can reach up to 60 centimeters in length, consisting of several spikes with staminate (male) flowers near the tip and pistillate (female) flowers lower down. The fruits are notable for having two or more long, thin teeth at the tip.
Wheat Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized wetland plantings, and as a soil stabilizer along water bodies. It is also appreciated for its textural interest in garden settings. This sedge requires consistent moisture and can tolerate standing water, making it suitable for areas with high water tables or poorly drained soils. It prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil types, provided they are wet. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread vigorously and may require management to prevent it from becoming too dominant in a planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Wheat Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized wetland plantings, and as a soil stabilizer along water bodies. It is also appreciated for its textural interest in garden settings. This sedge requires consistent moisture and can tolerate standing water, making it suitable for areas with high water tables or poorly drained soils. It prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil types, provided they are wet. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread vigorously and may require management to prevent it from becoming too dominant in a planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Wetland habitats including marshes, wet meadows, and along the edges of ponds and streams
Other Names
Common Names: Awned Sedge, Hairy-Leaved Lake Sedge, Slough Sedge, Grannen-Segge, Vienansara, Carex Épi-De-Blé, Akotainais Grislis, Turzyca Oscista, Finnstarr
Scientific Names: , Carex atherodes, Carex aristata, Carex orthostachys, Carex mirata, Carex aristata var. kirschsteiniana, Carex siegertiana, Carex mirata var. minor, Carex trichocarpa var. aristata, Carex trichocarpa var. imberbis
GBIF Accepted Name: Carex atherodes Spreng.