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(Carex maorica)
Maori Sedge (Carex maorica)
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Ed Wilson
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Ed Wilson
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Ed Wilson | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Ed Wilson | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-01-05T12:35:13-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carex maorica, commonly known as Maori Sedge, is an evergreen perennial grass native to the wetlands, swamps, and damp forests of New Zealand. It typically grows to a height and width of approximately 2 feet (0.6 meters), forming dense clumps of arching, dark green leaves. The plant produces inconspicuous brown flower spikes in late spring to summer, which are not particularly showy but add texture to the foliage. The foliage itself can be quite striking in a garden setting, providing year-round interest.
Maori Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, bog gardens, and areas with poor drainage. It is also used as a ground cover or for mass plantings in water features or along pond margins. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and requires consistent moisture, ideally in soils with slow drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can benefit from occasional thinning to maintain vigor. Carex maorica is not known for serious pest or disease problems, but it can become invasive if conditions allow for unchecked growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Maori Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, bog gardens, and areas with poor drainage. It is also used as a ground cover or for mass plantings in water features or along pond margins. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and requires consistent moisture, ideally in soils with slow drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can benefit from occasional thinning to maintain vigor. Carex maorica is not known for serious pest or disease problems, but it can become invasive if conditions allow for unchecked growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Native to the wetlands, swamps, and damp forests of New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: Carex maorica
GBIF Accepted Name: Carex maorica Hamlin