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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Carex flaccosperma

Meadow Sedge, Blue Wood Sedge

Scientific Name:

Carex flaccosperma

Genus:

Carex

Species Epithet:

flaccosperma

Common Name:

Meadow Sedge, Blue Wood Sedge

Plant Type

Grass/Sedge/Rush

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

0-1 ft., 1-3 ft.

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

May, June

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Mesic forests, well-drained bottomlands. Rare in NC mountains, common in piedmont & coastal plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate, Basal

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Until 1997, C. flaccosperma included plants now named C. pigra, which can occur in the same moist habitats. Both have strongly glaucescent or glaucous leaves and stems, but C. flaccosperma has larger perigynia (4.2-5.5 mm long vs. 3.9-4.5 mm). Another close relative is C. glaucodea of dry uplands, which has perigynia 3.2-4 mm long. Vascular Plants of NC.

The plant in mid-summer

Garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Carex flaccosperma. You will likely hear them called Meadow Sedge, Blue Wood Sedge. This picture shows the The plant in mid-summer of Carex flaccosperma

Bettina Darveaux

Glaucous leaves and stems give this sedge a blue color.

Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Carex flaccosperma. You will likely hear them called Meadow Sedge, Blue Wood Sedge. This picture shows the Glaucous leaves and stems give this sedge a blue color. of Carex flaccosperma

Bettina Darveaux

Male (top) and female (below) spikelets in early spring.

Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Carex flaccosperma. You will likely hear them called Meadow Sedge, Blue Wood Sedge. This picture shows the Male (top) and female (below) spikelets in early spring. of Carex flaccosperma

Bettina Darveaux

Close-up of female spikelet with developed perigynia enclosing the achenes.

Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Carex flaccosperma. You will likely hear them called Meadow Sedge, Blue Wood Sedge. This picture shows the Close-up of female spikelet with developed perigynia enclosing the achenes. of Carex flaccosperma

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php
 

NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carex-flaccosperma/
 

https://nc.audubon.org/700
 



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