SafePlants

Davis' Sedge (Carex davisii)

Davis' Sedge, scientifically known as Carex davisii, is a perennial sedge belonging to the Cyperaceae family. It is also commonly known as Davis' Wood Sedge and Awned Graceful Sedge.

Considerations for Pets

• Sedges resemble grasses and have narrow leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Carex davisii Schwein. & Torr.
• Common Names: Davis' Sedge, Davis' Wood Sedge, Awned Graceful Sedge, Emerson davis' carics sedge
• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
• Plant Type: Graminoid

Distribution and Habitat

• Davis' Sedge is found in wet woods, moist prairies, and along river and stream banks.
• It is distributed across the Missi region (presumably the Mississippi River region), except for the Bootheel lowlands (presumably of Missouri).
• Its global range includes Connecticut, western Massachusetts, Vermont, west to New York, Ontario, Wisconsin, and south to Maryland.
• It is also known to grow on family land near Sauk City, Wisconsin.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Davis' Sedge grows in dense clumps up to 1 meter (~3.3 feet) in height.
• It is a perennial sedge that grows in dense clumps.
• The spikes become brownish-orange during the summer.
• It has flowering stems that can range from 12-36 inches tall.
• The culms (stems) are light green and sharply triangular.
• Culms can be erect to loosely ascending, shorter or longer than the leaves, glabrous (smooth) or nearly so.
• It forms small, loose tufts of fertile and sterile shoots (culms with alternate leaves).
• Leaves are pubescent (hairy).
• Pistillate spikelets droop on long peduncles.
• Pistillate scales have long awns.

Ecological Role

• It provides a different type of texture and ground cover in shady areas.

Quirky Facts

• The spikes of Davis' sedge become brownish-orange during the summer, making it more noticeable where it grows.

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• New England Plant Conservation Program
• Discover Life
• Dave's Garden