Richwoods Sedge
Carex oligocarpa
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 404. Provided by Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- Carex oligocarpa
- USDA Symbol:
- CAOL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- songbirds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- As a component of oak savanna and woodland edge communities, this sedge tolerates periodic fire and can resprout from rhizomes. Benefits from occasional fire that reduces woody encroachment.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded woodland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–90 days
- Notes:
- Carex seeds benefit from cold-moist stratification. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed. Surface sow or barely cover as some light may aid germination.