SafePlants

Estuary Sedge (Carex recta)

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a type of sedge grass. While generally grasses and sedges are considered safe, some pets may experience mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities.
• Some sedges can be sharp, so use caution when planting them near pets.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Carex recta
• Common Name: Estuary Sedge, Salt Marsh Sedge
• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
• Genus: Carex
• Species: recta

Synonyms

• Carex recta Boott

Distribution and Habitat

• Estuary Sedge is found in estuarine environments, salt marshes, and along rocky shorelines, particularly in the middle and lower estuary regions.
• Specific locations mentioned include the Adur Estuary, the Fraser River Estuary in British Columbia, the Squamish delta and estuary, and the Colne Estuary.

Ecological Role

• Estuary sedge plays a crucial role in estuary ecosystems.
• Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyei), related to Estuary Sedge, is important for estuary restoration as it dominates shorelines and provides nutrient inputs for juvenile salmonids.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Chaffy saw sedge, a relative of Estuary Sedge, is described as tussock-forming.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Estuary sedge provides habitat for various bird species, including moorhen, reed warbler, and sedge warbler.
• Grizzly bears, brown bears and other wildlife are known to forage on sedge grasses in estuaries.

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Discover Life
• Barnegat Bay Estuary Program
• Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve