SafePlants

Understanding Sedges

Sedges are a diverse group of grass-like plants, often found in moist environments. They can be either annual or perennial, with stems that bear flowers.

Considerations for Pets

• Many sedges possess stems that are described as 3-angled, potentially causing mild irritation if chewed or ingested.
• Sawgrass (Cladium) is a large sedge with sharp leaf margins, commonly found in Florida. Handling this plant may pose a risk of cuts or scratches.

Considerations for Children

• Many sedges possess stems that are described as 3-angled, potentially causing mild irritation if chewed or ingested.
• Sawgrass (Cladium) is a large sedge with sharp leaf margins, commonly found in Florida. Handling this plant may pose a risk of cuts or scratches.

Scientific Classification and Nomenclature

• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
• Other families mentioned: Poaceae (Grasses), Juncaceae (Rushes)

Distribution and Habitat

• Sedges generally favor moist habitats.
• Several mentions highlight the prevalence of sedges in Florida, particularly Central and Southwest Florida.
• Specific locations mentioned include the Florida Everglades (as habitat for Sawgrass), roadside ditches in Florida (for white-topped sedge), and areas around Orlando and Naples, FL.

Ecological Role

• Some sedges, like Cuban Bulrush, have become invasive exotics.
• Sedge lawn weeds can be invasive in other types of turf grass.

Morphological Characteristics

• Sedges are described as grass-like plants with aerial flower-bearing stems.
• Annual forms typically have solitary to several stems with basal leaves.
• Sedge stems are often triangular, though they can also be round or 4-angled.

Specific Sedges Mentioned

• Yellow and Purple Nutsedge: Economically important members of the sedge family.
• Carex (True Sedges): Characterized by triangular stems, 3 leaves, and bisexual or unisexual flowers.
• Cladium (Fen-sedge, Sawgrass, or Twig-sedge): A genus of large sedges. The Florida Everglades are known for sawgrass growth.
• Rhynchospora colorata (Native white-topped sedge): Grows in roadside ditches around Florida.
• Carex floridana (Florida Sedge):

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Carex floridana (Florida Sedge) is sometimes considered Deer Resistant.
• The Talquin Sedge is a fly pattern used for fishing, designed to imitate the Cinnamon Sedge caddisfly.

Further Information

• University of California: Nutsedge
• University of Florida: Weeds
• BISON Web Link: http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/api/scientificName/Polycentropus%20floridensis
• ITIS Web Link
• Atlas of Vascular Plants (for species of Rhynchospora native to Florida)
• Discover Life's page about Carex floridana - Florida Sedge