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(Carex testacea)
Orange Sedge (Carex testacea)
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Megan Hansen
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Megan Hansen
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Megan Hansen | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: MeganEHansen | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is an evergreen perennial grass native to the open woodlands and tussock grasslands of New Zealand. It typically grows to a height and width of approximately 2 feet (0.6 meters), forming a dense, fountain-like clump of narrow, arching foliage. The leaves exhibit a striking orange-brown coloration, which intensifies in full sun and during cooler months. Orange Sedge produces inconspicuous brown flower spikes in late summer, which are not particularly showy but add to the plant’s texture.
Orange Sedge is valued for its year-round interest, particularly its colorful foliage which provides a warm tone to garden landscapes. It is often used in mass plantings, as an accent in borders, or in containers. This sedge is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage, and it tolerates dry conditions once established. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water. While generally low-maintenance, it can benefit from occasional trimming to remove old foliage and encourage fresh growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Orange Sedge is valued for its year-round interest, particularly its colorful foliage which provides a warm tone to garden landscapes. It is often used in mass plantings, as an accent in borders, or in containers. This sedge is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage, and it tolerates dry conditions once established. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water. While generally low-maintenance, it can benefit from occasional trimming to remove old foliage and encourage fresh growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1.5-2 feet
- Width: 1.5-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands and tussock grasslands of New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: New Zealand Hair Sedge, Speckled Sedge, Red Switchgrass
Scientific Names: , Carex testacea,
GBIF Accepted Name: Carex testacea Sol. ex Boott