plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]

Narrowleaf White-topped Sedge, White-top Sedge, Star Rush, Star Sedge

Scientific Name:

Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]

Genus:

Rhynchospora

Species Epithet:

colorata

Common Name:

Narrowleaf White-topped Sedge, White-top Sedge, Star Rush, Star 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.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist, Wet

Bloom Time:

May, June, July, August, September

Growing Area:

Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Wet savannas, ditches, dune swales. Uncommon in NC coastal plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate, Basal

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable, S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Showy white bracts. In general, smaller and with fewer bracts than Rhynchospora latifolia. Colonial and can spread aggressively.

Growing in a bog garden

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]. You will likely hear them called Narrowleaf White-topped Sedge, White-top Sedge, Star Rush, Star Sedge. This picture shows the Growing in a bog garden of Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]

Bettina Darveaux

Emerging inflorescence

bog garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]. You will likely hear them called Narrowleaf White-topped Sedge, White-top Sedge, Star Rush, Star Sedge. This picture shows the Emerging inflorescence of Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]

Bettina Darveaux

Close-up of flowers subtended by white bracts

bog garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]. You will likely hear them called Narrowleaf White-topped Sedge, White-top Sedge, Star Rush, Star Sedge. This picture shows the Close-up of flowers subtended by white bracts of Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]

Bettina Darveaux

The showy white bracts taper gradually to green tips; fewer bracts than in Rhynchospora latifolia

Pender County NC

The Scientific Name is Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]. You will likely hear them called Narrowleaf White-topped Sedge, White-top Sedge, Star Rush, Star Sedge. This picture shows the The showy white bracts taper gradually to green tips; fewer bracts than in Rhynchospora latifolia of Rhynchospora colorata [= Dichromena colorata]

Lisa Lofland Gould

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/plant_list.php

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhynchospora-colorata/

https://nc.audubon.org/700

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHCO7



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial r Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums