SafePlants

Carex granalaris

Carex granularis is commonly known as limestone meadow sedge or meadow sedge.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonyms

• Carex praticola Rydb. (for meadow sedge)
• Carex praticola var. subcoriacea

Distribution and Habitat

• Carex praticola is native to most of northern North America, including most of Canada.
• Within New England, northern meadow sedge is found only in fields, forest openings, and meadows in northern Maine, where it is very rare or potentially extirpated.
• Often found in bioretention areas, sedge meadows, and wet mesic woods.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Carex pansa (California meadow sedge) is a creeping native sedge that grows only 4 to 6 inches high.
• Some Carex species are rhizomatous, spreading by rhizomes to form dense mats.
• Perennial sedge that produces non-flowering tufts of leaves and flowering culms about ½-2' tall. The narrow culms are unbranched and hairless.
• Height is generally -2 feet (0.23-0.6 meters) and spread is about 1 foot (0.3 meters).
• Carex granularis is a clump-forming sedge.

Carex pansa Information

• Carex pansa is vigorously rhizomatous.
• Carex pansa is a creeping evergreen native western American sedge.
• Grows 8-12 inches tall.
• Native to the Californian Pacific Coast.

Ecological Role

• Sedge meadows are dominated by members of the sedge family, Cyperacae, particularly Carex spp.
• Excellent for meadows, swamps, and moist prairies.
• Adapted to fine cool season, native grasslike perennial with black rhizomes found in wetland areas in prairies and moderate elevation mountainous areas.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Various wildlife species interact with Carex.

Resources and Further Information

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
• Dave's Garden