SafePlants

Understanding Sedges

Sedges belong to the Cyperaceae family, a large and taxonomically complex group of monocotyledonous flowering plants within the order Poales. This family includes grasses, reeds, rushes, and various spike sedges. Identifying specific sedge species can be challenging due to the sheer number of species.

Considerations for Pets

• Some sedges form large hummocks or tussocks.
• Sedges often have spikelets, which are small spikes with reduced flowers.

Considerations for Children

• Some sedges form large hummocks or tussocks.
• Sedges often have spikelets, which are small spikes with reduced flowers.

Scientific Names and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Various species within the Cyperaceae family, particularly the genus Carex and Eleocharis.
• Common Names: Sedges, True Sedges, Spike Sedges (including Tiny-fruited Spike-sedge), Hanging Sedge, Drooping Sedge, Weeping Sedge, Spike Rush (including Giant Spike-rush, Tall Spike-rush), Spikenard Sedge, Large-headed Sedge, Largehead Sedge, Water Sedge, Different-spike Sedge.
• Other plants can be referred to as sedges such as bamboo spike sedge, tall spike sedge, and giant spike rush.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
• Order: Poales

Distribution and Habitat

• Sedges are found in various habitats, including wet woodlands, riversides, floodplains, sandy shallows, high-pH bedrock, and moorlands.
• Specific locations mentioned include Northland (New Zealand), Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Washington county, and the Scottish Highlands.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Sedges may form large tufts, hummocks, or tussocks.
• They exhibit a rhizomatous habit, forming large stands in some species.
• Leaves are typically linear and parallel-veined.
• Inflorescence is often a compound, cymose arrangement of many spikelets.
• Flower spikes can vary in size, with some reaching up to 1 meter.
• Some species have distinctive flower spikes or large feathery flower heads.
• Some have hollow stems.

Additional Details

• Spikelets are often composed of flowers arranged in tight units and may be staminate above.
• Male and female spikes can be separate, gynecandrous, or androgynous.
• Bracts can be leaf-like and longer than the spikes.
• Seeds can be few and large, remaining in the seed bank for extended periods.
• Hybrids exist, and their charts can be extensive.
• Some species have inflated perigynia.

Further Information

• USDA PLANTS database.
• Intermountain Herbarium.