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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge

Scientific Name:

Carex pensylvanica

Genus:

Carex

Species Epithet:

pensylvanica

Common Name:

Pennsylvania 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.

Light:

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

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May, June

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Dry to moist woodlands and forests, grassy balds, shale barrens, rock outcrops. Common in NC mountains, uncommon in piedmont.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate, Basal

Leaf Retention:

Semi-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:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Forms colonies and makes a good groundcover. Blooms very early.
The taxonomic status of this plant in NC is currently under study.

Southern Highlands Reserve, Transylvania Co.,NC-cultivated from local source.

The Scientific Name is Carex pensylvanica. You will likely hear them called Pennsylvania Sedge. This picture shows the  of Carex pensylvanica

Larry Mellichamp

Blue Ridge Parkway Transylvania Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Carex pensylvanica. You will likely hear them called Pennsylvania Sedge. This picture shows the  of Carex pensylvanica

Larry Mellichamp

It grows in loose colonies in shady areas and has a creeping habit.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Carex pensylvanica. You will likely hear them called Pennsylvania Sedge. This picture shows the It grows in loose colonies in shady areas and has a creeping habit. of Carex pensylvanica

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

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

Native Plant Trust’s Go Botany: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/carex/pensylvanica/

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

https://nc.audubon.org/700



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