Carex occidentalis, commonly known as Western Sedge, is a perennial herb native to various ecosystems, including wet meadows, streambanks, and moist grasslands in the southwestern United States, extending northward to Montana. It typically grows to a height of up to 35 inches (89 cm) and is characterized by its narrow, grass-like leaves and rounded flower spikes that appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they do add a fine-textured element to the plant’s overall appearance.

Western Sedge is valued for its adaptability to wet conditions and is often used in riparian restoration projects, rain gardens, and as a naturalizing element in moist garden areas. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist soils, but can tolerate periods of dryness once established. This sedge is low maintenance and can be an effective ground cover in suitable conditions. However, it can spread aggressively in optimal growing conditions, so gardeners should consider this when planting.CC BY-SA 4.0