Thicket/ Swans Sedge

COMMON NAME: Swan’s Sedge

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Downy Green Sedge

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Carex swanii

FAMILY: Cyperaceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 20 to 40 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late May to late July

FRUITING TIME: Late May to late July

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Arkansas ~ Statewide, decreasing in the Pine Barrens in New Jersey ~ found in dry woods and fields

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Tufted, reddish-purple at base ~ Stems usually overtopping the leaves ~ Leaves hairy, narrow ~ Terminal spike above, densely flowered ~ Looks like Ribbed Sedge (Carex virescens)

The following rhythm may help distinguish sedges from the similar appearing sedges, grasses, and rushes: Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have joints from the tips to the ground. The leaves of  Swan’s Sedge are flat and narrow; they have “edges”.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Cyperaceae family commonly called the Rush or Sedge family includes eight genera and approximately three hundred species of grass-like plants.  In ancient times rushes were used to make roofs, writing instruments, bedding, caulking for ships and some were used to make arrows.  A more poetic use was for musical pipes.  In the Middle Ages rushes were used to cover cold stone floors and were swept away when dirty. This species (swanii) was named in honor of Charles Walter Swan (1838-1921). The presence of members of this family of plants indicates damp soil or low meadows.  Swan’s Sedge is found in open soils of woods and shaded edges, fields and banks. Approximately 500 species of Carex are found in the United States—nearly half of those found worldwide. Because of their wide availability the seeds of sedges are eaten by many kinds of wildlife.  The seeds of sedges are important to waterfowl and songbirds.  In addition to providing food, this plant provides nesting cover and for ducks and the tufted growths furnish concealment to other small animals.