SafePlants

Three-seeded Sedge (Carex trisperma)

Carex trisperma, commonly known as Three-seeded Sedge, is a perennial herb belonging to the Cyperaceae (Sedge) family.

Considerations for Pets

• Graminoids (grasses, sedges, and rushes) tend to have defined edges and often triangular shapes.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Carex trisperma Dewey
• Common Names: Three-seeded Sedge, Three-fruited Sedge, Three-seeded Bog Sedge
• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
• Order: Poales
• Section: Heleonastes
• Synonyms: Carex trisperma var. trisperma

Distribution and Habitat

• It has a circumpolar distribution.
• Found in Garrett Co., Maryland.
• Observed in Fond du Lac co, WI.
• Present in Essex County (Boxford), 2009.
• Found in Minnesota.
• Present in Northern Maine.
• Observed in a northern Alberta study area.
• Exists in Nova Scotia.
• Occurs in Ohio.
• Observed in Vermont.

Morphological Characteristics

• Loosely tufted perennial
• Loosely clump forming
• Very slender
• Graminoids (grasses, sedges, and rushes) tend to have defined edges to their often triangular shape, and leaves in three ranks.
• Stem (culm) is slender, broadly three-angled in cross section.
• Leaves 3-ranked
• One to three lower spikes bear only carpellate flowers
• 1 to 3 spikes widely spaced, all gynecandrous
• Pistillate scales whitish with green, 3-veined center, ovate, subequal to perigynia, apex acute (mucronate)
• Perigynia ascending, pale green or brownish in age

Ecological Role

• Characteristic of the shaded portion.
• Cinnamon fern and three-seeded sedge are typical in some regions.

Quirky Facts

• Despite its name, Three-seeded Sedge may have two to five perigynia in the terminal spike.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Found in conjunction with crested shield fern, lake sedge, beaked sedge, few-seeded sedge, and cinnamon fern.
• Found in conjunction with balsam fir / Cinnamon fern and sphagnum
• Occurs in bog communities with insectivorous plants.