Golden Sedge
(Carex aurea)
Golden Sedge (Carex aurea)
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Chloe and Trevor Van Loon
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Chloe and Trevor Van Loon
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Chloe and Trevor Van Loon | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Chloe and Trevor Van Loon | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-08-07T13:55:15-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carex aurea, commonly known as Golden Sedge, is a semi-deciduous perennial sedge native to wet meadows, marshes, and the edges of ponds and streams across North America, including both the USA and Canada. It typically grows to about 40 cm (16 in) tall, with a clumping habit. The inflorescence bears both staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers, with the latter producing distinctive rounded fruits. These fruits are enclosed in a sac called a perigynium, which is initially fleshy and green, maturing to a bright orange before dispersal. Golden Sedge is noted for its ornamental seed heads and the seasonal color change of its perigynia.
Golden Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and as a ground cover in moist garden spots. It is also a choice plant for erosion control along waterways. This sedge prefers full sun to part shade and requires high amounts of water, doing best in soils that are consistently moist with fast to medium drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread in ideal conditions and may need to be managed to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Golden Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and as a ground cover in moist garden spots. It is also a choice plant for erosion control along waterways. This sedge prefers full sun to part shade and requires high amounts of water, doing best in soils that are consistently moist with fast to medium drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread in ideal conditions and may need to be managed to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wet meadows, marshes, and the edges of ponds and streams
Other Names
Common Names: Golden-Fruited Sedge , Gyllenstarr , Golden-Fruit Sedge
Scientific Names: Carex aurea , Carex aurea f. colorata , Carex mutica , Carex pyriformis , Neskiza aurea
GBIF Accepted Name: Carex aurea Nutt.