Native Plant Database

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Carex stricta Lam.

Tussock sedge, Upright sedge, Uptight sedge

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

USDA Symbol: CAST8

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A slender, 1-3 ft. grass-like plant with a cluster of brown seed capsules clinging high on the stem. Stems bearing greenish or brownish spikes of inconspicuous flowers above dense tufts of grass-like leaves. Green leaves are exceeded by the stem in height. Forms large tufts or hummocks to 3 ft. wide.

The easiest way to recognize this sedge is by its distinctive, elevated tussocks (dense tufts) in open wet areas. It grows abundantly, often in seasonally flooded sites.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Leaf Arrangement: Basal
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Scabrous
Breeding System: Monoecious
Inflorescence: Spike
Fruit Type: Achene
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent. Bloom time refers to fruiting period for Carex spp.

Distribution

USA: AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: N.B. to Ont., s. to NC, TN & KS
Native Habitat: Acid or neutral swamps; swales; low woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet soil to standing water.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Excellent nesting habitat for rails and snipes.
Use Other: Harvested for insulation in ice packing houses and used for rug making. (Kershaw)
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Mulberry Wing butterfly (Poanes massasoit)

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Carex stricta is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Eyed Brown
(Satyrodes eurydice)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Mulberry Wing
(Poanes massasoit)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Black Dash
(Euphyes conspicua)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
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From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Carex stricta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Carex stricta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Carex stricta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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