Pennsylvania sedge
Carex pensylvanica

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Carex pensylvanica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. The flowers are pollinated by Wind, Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

A shade-loving perennial sedge that is native to thickets and dry woodland areas. dry to mesic upland forests and shaded bluff ledges. It typically grows in loose colonies with a creeping habit. Roots are reddish brown. It is often found in areas with oak trees, hence the additional common name of oak sedge.

Native to North America, especially eastern Canada and the eastern United States.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Capable of colonizing disturbed sites . Groundcover for dry shade. Underplanting for shade perennials. Lawn substitute for dry soils in shady areas (forms a turf that never needs mowing or mow 2-3 times per year to 2" tall).. Provides cover for migratory fowl, sandhill cranes, and ducks (who also use the leaves for nesting material). It is also used by sharptail grouse and prairie chickens for nesting, cover, and dancing grounds . Erosion Control. Ornamental: The leaves are soft and fine textured with an arching habit. It can be used as a lawn substitute. Tolerant of mowing. Moderate salt tolerance.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers loose loams in dry soils in sun-dappled part shade. Most sedges prefer moist to wet soils, but not this one. Plants spread by rhizomes. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions. Soil pH: 4.0 - 8.0. Drought: Tolerant. Flood: Moderate. Salt: Moderate. Soil Compaction: Intolerant. Mowing: Tolerant. Does not compete well with larger plants in full sun. Competes well in moderate to deep shade. Can form dense mats. Makes one of the earliest spring appearances of the Carices. Life Span:Long-Lived Perennial. Stand Persistence:Long. Form: Clump.. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. An evergreen. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is clumping, giving the plant a clumping habit. The predictable growth behaviour makes it easier to maintain without having to apply containment methods.

Propagating it: Plants spread by rhizomes. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions. This species often does not grow well from seed.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Medium

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

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Pennsylvania sedge, Penn sedge.Early sedge, Common oak sedge, Yellow sedge, Oak Sedge.

Synonyms

C. pensylvanica var. glumabunda Peck. C. p. var. marginata (Willd.) Dewey. C. p. var. vespertina L.H.Bailey. C. marginata Willd. C. stolonifera Schwein.