Freshwater Wetlands/ Greenish-white Sedge

COMMON NAME: Greenish-White Sedge

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Carex albolutescens

FAMILY: Cyperaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetlands       

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: to 18 inches

FLOWERING TIME: May to July

FRUITING TIME: Late June to August

DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the costal plain from Massachusetts to Georgia and west to Illinois ~ Delaware Valley

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Densely tufted ~ Leaves narrow, less than ¼ inch wide, Spikes 3-10, bristle like, with both staminate and pistlillate flowers, whitish-green to whitish-yellow ~ Stems slender, erect, sharply three-angled, smooth

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Cyperacease family commonly called the sedge family includes eight genera and approximately three hundred species of grass-like plants.  In ancient times sedges were used to make roofs, bedding, caulking for ships.  In the Middle Ages rushes were used to cover cold stone floors and were swept away when dirty. The presence of plants in this family indicates damp soil or low meadows. The following rhythm may help distinguish sedges from the similar appearing rushes and grasses: Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have joints from the tips to the ground. The stems of sedges are sharp and Greenish-White sedge stem is three-angled.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.