Carolina sedge (Carex caroliniana)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON NAMES:

Carolina sedge

 

SCIENTIFIC SYNONYMS: There are no scientific synonyms for

Carex caroliniana.

 

TAXONOMY: The currently accepted scientific name for Carolina

sedge is Carex caroliniana Schwein.

 

NATIVE STATUS: Native, United States.

 

GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Carolina sedge

is a tufted grass-like perennial. The leaves are strap-like, 1.5-4.0 mm

wide, and hairy or the hairs shed as the plant matures. Stems are 25-80

cm tall and have hairs that shed as the plant matures. Towards the apex

of the stems are usually 3 cylindrical flower/fruit clusters (spikes).

These spikes are closely arranged. The terminal spike is composed of

female flowers above and male flowers below. The other spikes are

composed entirely of female flowers and are 7-18 mm long. The female

flowers mature into fruits (perigynia) which are round in cross section,

2.1-3.0 mm long, and are not or only slightly hairy.

 

REGENERATION PROCESS: Carolina sedge propogates itself by

reseeding.

 

HABITAT TYPES: Carolina sedge is often associated with ditches and

shores, low woods, bottomlands, and meadows.

 

SITE CHARACTERISTICS: Carolina sedge is usually found near

or in a water habitat or an area which is periodically moist.

 

SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT: Fruiting late spring–early summer.

 

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION: Carolina sedge is known from New

York and New Jersey south to Georgia and west to Texas, Oklahoma,

Kansas, and Indiana. Carolina sedge does not naturally occur in the

New England states, upper mid-West, southwest, Rocky Mountain, or

Pacific Coast states. It does not occur in Canada.

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION:

 

Grass specimens can be found on trails marked in red.

 

       Bleak House
       Appalachian Trail/Old Trail
       South Ridge/North Ridge
       Gap Run
       Snowden
       Woodpecker Lane

       Sherman's Mill
       Rolling Meadows/ Lost Mountain
       Fish Pond

 

The specific distribution of Carolina sedge has not been determined.

 

IMPORTANCE AND USES: Insufficient information.

 

 

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