Star Sedge
Carex echinata
- Native to:
- Albania, Aleutian Is., Australia, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kriti, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Sumatera, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States, Virgin Islands
James K. Lindsey
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- Carex echinata
- USDA Symbol:
- CAEC
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, organic soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wet meadows and bogs
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold moist stratification for 30-60 days; germination occurs in spring.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)