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(Carex geminata)
Cutty Grass (Carex geminata)
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Leon Perrie
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Leon Perrie
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Leon Perrie | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Leon Perrie | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-02-09T00:41:43Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carex geminata, commonly known as Cutty Grass, is an evergreen perennial grass native to wetlands, bogs, and damp forests in New Zealand, including the Subantarctic Islands. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and can spread to about 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide. The plant forms dense tussocks with sharp-edged leaves that can cut skin, hence the common name. It produces inconspicuous brown flower spikes in the summer and spring, which are not particularly showy but are of ecological importance for habitat.
Cutty Grass is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and is often used in wetland restoration projects. It can also be used in water gardens or as a foliage plant in boggy areas of a landscape. Carex geminata requires consistent moisture and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. It prefers soils with medium to slow drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, its sharp leaves should be handled with care during planting or maintenance. There are no major disease problems associated with this species, but it can become invasive if conditions allow for unchecked spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Cutty Grass is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and is often used in wetland restoration projects. It can also be used in water gardens or as a foliage plant in boggy areas of a landscape. Carex geminata requires consistent moisture and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. It prefers soils with medium to slow drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, its sharp leaves should be handled with care during planting or maintenance. There are no major disease problems associated with this species, but it can become invasive if conditions allow for unchecked spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1.5-3.4 feet
- Width: 3-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Wetlands, bogs, and damp forests in New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: Wetland Cutty Grass
Scientific Names: , Carex geminata, Carex ternaria, Olotrema geminata,
GBIF Accepted Name: Carex geminata Schkuhr