Wood sedge
Carex sylvatica

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Carex sylvatica 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 3. The flowers are pollinated by Wind, Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Deciduous woodlands on heavy soils; Sometimes found in unwooded areas.

Europe, Asia, and far east to Iran.Introduced to North America, and New Zealand.

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Europe, Asia, and far east to Iran.Introduced to North America, and New Zealand.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A good evergreen ground cover supplying winter interest. Can be used on slope or Banks. Good in containers. Can make a good edging plant. Deer resistant and shade tolerant. Recommended as a groundcover under trees and shrubs. Wildlife Habitat - provides cover for small wildlife. Fiber. C. sylvatica was used as wadding in order to retain heat by Laplanders (English Botany. Sowerby and Smith, 1802). Ornamental.

Insulation: Providing insulation against extremes of temperature, sound or electricity.

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

C. sylvatica is a clump-forming, log-lived, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial 0.15m to 0.6m (6 inches - 24 inches) high and a spread of 0.15m to 0.6m (6 inches - 24 inches). It has a moderate Growth Rate. It prefers sun to partial shade and loamy to clay soil. Soil moisture is wet, to moderate and soil pH: 5.8 - 7.0. it is drought intolerant. There are a few distinct subspecies. It can be evergreen or deciduous. Non-mycorrhizal. 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 rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length.

Propagating it: Propagate by plant division in spring or seeding in the fall.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Wood-sedge, Sedge, European woodland sedge.

Synonyms

C. drymeia L.f. C. emarcida Suter C. laxula Tineo ex Boott. C. loncholepis Less. ex Meinsh. C. patula Scop. C. psilostachya Kit. ex Willd. C. strigosa Willd. ex Kunth [Illegitimate]. C. sylvatica f. gracilis Celak. C. sylvatica f. laxula (Tineo ex Boott) Kük. C. sylvatica var. laxula (Tineo ex Boott) Nyman. C. sylvatica subsp. laxula (Tineo ex Boott) K.Richt. C. sylvatica f. pumila Fiek ex Uechtr. C. sylvatica subsp. sylvatica. C. sylvatica var. tommasinii Rchb. Edritria sylvatica (Huds.) Raf. Proteocarpus sylvaticus (Huds.) Fedde & J.Schust. Trasus sylvaticus (Huds.) Gray.