Carex tonsa, commonly known as Shaved Sedge, is a deciduous perennial grass native to North American prairies, open woodlands, and meadows, particularly in the North and Northeastern United States and across Canada. It typically grows to a height of 0.2-0.5 feet (0.06-0.2 meters) and spreads to about 0.5 feet (0.15 meters), forming dense tufts of fine-textured, narrow foliage. The plant produces inconspicuous brownish flower spikes in late spring to early summer, which are not particularly showy but add a subtle texture to the landscape.

Shaved Sedge is valued for its adaptability to various soil conditions and its ability to thrive with minimal care, making it an excellent choice for naturalistic plantings, rain gardens, and as a ground cover in restoration projects. It is also used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Carex tonsa prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate occasional wet conditions. It is drought-tolerant once established and can handle a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. There are no major disease or pest issues, but it can become sparse in overly rich or moist soils.CC BY-SA 4.0