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Fernald's sedge

Scientific Name: Carex merritt-fernaldii

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: NY (Fernald's sedge), OH (Fernald's sedge)

       

Fernald's Sedge (Carex merritt-fernaldii)

Fernald's Sedge, also known as Merritt Fernald's Sedge, is a perennial plant belonging to the sedge family.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant may be found in home gardens.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carex merritt-fernaldii Mack.
  • Common Names: Fernald's Sedge, Merritt Fernald's Sedge, Fernald's oval sedge
  • Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
  • Genus: Carex
  • Synonyms:
    • Carex festucacea of Gray's Manual ed. 7, not Schkuhr.
    • Carex brevior
    • Carex brevior var.
    • Fernald's oval sedge (Newmaster &amp Ragupathy, 2005)

Distribution and Habitat

  • One report indicates its occurrence from Ocean County, N.J., to eastern Virginia.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a perennial plant.
  • Bloom period is from May to July.
  • Fruits during the summer to fall.

Quirky Facts

  • The specific epithet merritt-fernaldii is named in honor of Merritt Fernald (1873-1950), a botanist who discovered this species and wrote the 8th edition of Gray's Manual of Botany.

Further Information

  • Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Carex merritt-fernaldii.
  • Endangered Resources Program: Offers identification information, photos, and links related to Fernald's Sedge.
  • Dave's Garden: A community forum for sharing gardening tips, ideas, seeds, and plants.
  • U.S. Department of Energy Fernald Preserve: A location where this sedge is found.