Bigleaf Sedge
Carex amplifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Hurd, E.G., N.L. Shaw, J. Mastrogiuseppe, L.C. Smithman, and S. Goodrich.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- Carex amplifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- CAAM10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetland areas and riparian zones
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–45 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate better with light exposure. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are sown directly into containers with a growing medium of 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice and Nutricote controlled release fertilizer at the rate of 0.5 gram per 107 ml container. The containers are then sealed in plastic bags and refrigerated at 1 to 3 °C for 30 days. The cells are checked weekly and kept moist throughout the stratification period.
Establishment: Carex amplifolia is usually uncommon or rare and is confined to temperate western North America, from coastal lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains.
Source: npn.rngr.net