Carex brevior, commonly known as Shortbeak Sedge, is a deciduous perennial grass native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, meadows, prairies, and along stream banks across much of the United States and parts of Canada. It forms dense tufts with short-prolonged rhizomes, sometimes appearing elongated. The flowering culms are 15–120 cm (5.9–47.2 in) tall with 3 to 5 leaves per culm. Few vegetative culms are produced, and unlike some other sedges, they are not strikingly 3-ranked. The leaf sheaths are white and papery, and the ligule is 2.2–3.3 mm (0.087–0.13 in) long. The inflorescence is open, brown, up to 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long with between 3 and 7 distant, distinct spikes per culm. Carex brevior flowers in mid-May and early June, fruiting in early to mid-summer.

Shortbeak Sedge is valued for its adaptability to various light conditions and soil moisture levels, making it a versatile choice for naturalistic plantings, rain gardens, and restoration projects. It is also used for erosion control due to its dense root system. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to full shade and tolerates a wide range of soil moisture conditions, from dry to wet, preferring soils with medium drainage. While it is not known for showy flowers, its grass-like appearance adds texture to garden designs. Carex brevior is relatively low-maintenance, but it can spread if conditions are favorable, so gardeners should consider this when planting.CC BY-SA 4.0