Iwashiba, Japanese Sedge
Carex morrowii

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Carex morrowii is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Native to low alpine areas in Japan. Most sedges are found in wetlands – such as marshes, calcareous fens, bogs and other peatlands, pond and stream banks, and riparian zones.

E. Asia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

E. Asia.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: biomass (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles). Carex species are popular in horticulture especially for shady positions. No information was found for Carex morowii but some Carex native species are used in wildland habitat restoration projects, natural landscaping, and in sustainable landscaping as drought-tolerant grass replacements for lawns and garden meadows. Grows well in the shade of trees. Carex morrowii is typically grown for its attractive shape and foliage. Effective accent for smaller gardens. Can be grown in pots.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

Climate: boreal to warm temperate. Humidity: aquatic. Best grown in moist, fertile, medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. In full sun and hot sites foliage tends to bleach to an unattractive yellow. Tolerates: Deer, Heavy Shade, Erosion, Wet Soil. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: hay (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation). .

Propagating it: Propagation is by seed or division in spring.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Japanese grass sedge, Morrow’s sedge

Synonyms

Carex morrowii var. albomarginata Makino. Carex morrowii var. crassicaulis Franch. Carex morrowii var. morrowii. Carex morrowii f. niigatensis Franch. & Sav. Carex morrowii f. virginea Franch. & Sav.