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Oahu sedge
Scientific Name: Carex wahuensis ssp. wahuensis
Family: Cyperaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Oahu Sedge (Carex wahuensis)
Oahu sedge (Carex wahuensis) is a tough, versatile plant native to Hawaii and used as an accent plant in landscaping. It can be planted individually or in larger groups.
Considerations for Pets
- As a grass-like plant, it may attract grazing animals.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Carex wahuensis C.A. Mey.
- Common Name: Oahu sedge
- Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species; Direct Children: Subspecies
- Synonyms: None explicitly mentioned, but the text notes "names for this taxon" may be found elsewhere.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Hawaii (HI).
- Also found in Puerto Rico (PR), Virgin Islands (VI), and Navassa Island (NAV).
- Its naturalized presence was first recorded in Upper Kalihi Valley on Oahu.
- Also found on Oahu, Molokai, Maui, the Big Island and Laysan in the northwestern part of Hawaii.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Growth Habit: Graminoid (grass-like).
- Duration: Perennial (lives for more than two years).
- Can grow to more than 2 feet wide and 2.5 feet tall in clumps.
- Medium in size and can reach 4 meters high
Ecological Role
- Considered a good non-invasive alternative to non-native "Umbrella" plants (likely referring to plants in the Cyperus genus).
Further Information
- Discover Life provides a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Carex wahuensis.
- Images are available from Forest and Kim Starr at Starr Environmental.
- Additional information may be found at http://www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hi?Plants.
- Wikimedia Commons hosts images of Carex wahuensis.