Carex praegracilis, commonly known as Clustered Field Sedge, is an evergreen perennial grass native to a variety of habitats across North America, from wet meadows and riparian zones to coastal scrublands, extending from Alaska to Central America. It is particularly adapted to wet and seasonally wet environments, including disturbed areas such as roadsides, where it can tolerate alkaline conditions and even benefit from the application of road salt. This sedge forms dense tufts of foliage from a network of thin, coarse rhizomes and can reach up to 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) in height. Its sharply triangular stems culminate in a dense, cylindrical array of flower spikes, each up to 4 or 5 cm (1.6 or 2.0 in) long.

Clustered Field Sedge is valued for its low maintenance requirements and its utility as a lawn substitute or for creating meadow-like plantings in specialty horticulture. It is also used for erosion control and wetland restoration due to its robust rhizome system. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and is adaptable to various soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow. While it prefers medium amounts of water, it can tolerate drier conditions once established. This plant’s spreading range, particularly along roadsides, should be monitored to prevent unwanted encroachment into natural areas.CC BY-SA 4.0