Carex nigra, commonly known as Common Sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to a variety of wetland habitats including fens, marshes, wet meadows, and the margins of streams and lakes across Europe, western Asia, North Africa, and eastern North America. It typically grows to a height of 20-60 cm (8-24 inches) and forms dense clumps. Common Sedge has narrow, grass-like leaves and inconspicuous brownish-green flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but the plant is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and its role in stabilizing soil and providing habitat for wildlife.

In cultivation, Carex nigra is often used for naturalistic plantings in water gardens, rain gardens, and for erosion control along waterways. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires consistently moist to wet soil and can grow in full sun to part shade. While it is not prone to serious pests or diseases, it can become invasive in some conditions, spreading by rhizomes to form large colonies. Gardeners should be mindful of its potential to spread when planting it in areas adjacent to natural wetlands.CC BY-SA 4.0