SafePlants

Squarrose Sedge (Carex squarrosa)

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that Squarrose Sedge is a bristly appearing plant.
• Squarrose Sedge has narrow leaves.
• The specific epithet, squarossa, is Latin for “scaly and rough.”

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that Squarrose Sedge is a bristly appearing plant.
• Squarrose Sedge has narrow leaves.
• The specific epithet, squarossa, is Latin for “scaly and rough.”

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Carex squarrosa L.
• Common Name: Squarrose Sedge, Lowland Sedge, Square-top Sedge, Narrow-leaved Cattail Sedge
• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
• Genus: Carex
• Section: Squarrosae
• Synonyms: (Not explicitly listed, but the text references synonym information)

Distribution and Habitat

• Squarrose sedge is found throughout most of the United States.
• Within New England, it occurs only in Connecticut, where it is protected, and Massachusetts.
• Grows in wet meadows, marshes, and swamps, shady or sunny wetlands, and wet woods.
• Observed growing in St. Mary's Co., Maryland and Cecil Co., Maryland.

Ecological Role

• Threatened by wetland habitat loss and invasive species.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial sedge that forms a small tuft of leafy culms about 1-2 feet tall.
• Culms are light to medium green, 3-angled, glabrous, and unbranched.
• Leaves are 3-6 mm wide.
• Typically has a single large terminal thimble-shaped bristly appearing seedhead.
• Spike is erect on an abrupt terminal end of culm, resembling an ovoid button.
• Green flowers.
• Graminoid plant form.
• Slow growth.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The sedge fen-aquatic peat contains squarrose sphagnum.

Further Information

• Dave's Garden
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Discover Life
• New England Wild Flower Society
• Chicago Botanic Garden's collecting team