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Texas sedge
Scientific Name: Carex texensis
Family: Cyperaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Texas Sedge (Carex texensis)
Texas Sedge, also sometimes referred to as Mangspike Flatsedge, is a common sedge found in central Texas. It's gaining popularity as a turf substitute, particularly in shaded areas.
Considerations for Pets
- Texas Sedge colonizes densely by rhizomes.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Carex texensis (Torr.) L.H. Bailey
- Common Name: Texas Sedge, Mangspike Flatsedge
- Family: Cyperaceae
- Order: Poales
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the eastern United States, ranging from New York to Georgia and west to Nebraska and Texas.
- Commonly found in central Texas, including the Hill Country.
- Thrives in dry to moist shade.
- Occurs in sandy soils.
Ecological Role
- While generally considered a beneficial native plant, some sources may list similar sedges as invasive in specific regions (e.g., Berkeley Sedge in California).
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Evergreen.
- Forms a short, tufty carpet.
- Grows in tight clumps and naturalizes using rhizomes.
- Fine-textured foliage.
- Resembles grass with long, dark green blades.
- Stems are usually triangular.
- Typically grows up to 1 foot tall with a 2-foot spread. However, one source mentions it can reach up to 4 meters.
- Summer annual grassy weed.
- Annual with stems of varying heights.
- Leaf blades reddish-brown to greenish-brown.
- Seedhead branches tightly clustered to open and diffusely spreading.
Cultivation and Uses
- Used as a turf substitute in dry to moist shade.
- Suitable as a low-maintenance, no-mow ground cover.
- Handles light foot traffic.
- Can be mowed occasionally at a high setting if desired.
- Suitable for xeriscaping.