Hop Sedge
(Carex lupulina)
Hop Sedge (Carex lupulina)
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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: 2019-08-11T17:54:18-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carex lupulina, commonly known as Hop Sedge, is a perennial sedge, which is often semi-evergreen depending on the climate. It is native to wet meadows, marshes, and along streams and rivers in the Eastern United States and Southern Canada. This sedge typically grows to a height of 1-4 feet (0.3-1.2 meters) and a width of about 1 foot (0.3 meters). Its foliage is bright green, and it produces distinctive seed heads that resemble hops, hence the common name. The flowering season occurs in mid to late summer, and while the flowers are not particularly showy, they add a textural interest to the plant.
Hop Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, wetland restoration, and naturalized areas. It is also used for erosion control along waterways. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate full shade, especially in hotter climates. It requires medium to high amounts of water and grows best in soils with slow or wet drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread by rhizomes and may require management in smaller garden settings to prevent it from becoming too aggressive.CC BY-SA 4.0
Hop Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, wetland restoration, and naturalized areas. It is also used for erosion control along waterways. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate full shade, especially in hotter climates. It requires medium to high amounts of water and grows best in soils with slow or wet drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread by rhizomes and may require management in smaller garden settings to prevent it from becoming too aggressive.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass, Herb
- Height: 1-4 feet
- Width: 0.25-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Native to wet meadows, marshes, and along streams and rivers in the Eastern United States and Southern Canada
Other Names
Common Names: Common Hop Sedge , Carex Houblon
Scientific Names: Carex lupulina , Carex lupulina var. pedunculata , Carex canadensis , Carex lupulina var. lupulina , Carex bella-villa , Carex lupulina var. albomarginata , Carex lupulina var. bella-villa , Carex retrorsa var. macounii , Carex gigantea var. lupulina , Carex gigantea f. bella-villa
GBIF Accepted Name: Carex lupulina Muhl. ex Willd.