Prairie Sedge
Carex prairea
- 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: 370. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- Carex prairea
- USDA Symbol:
- CAPR6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Common in fire-maintained wet prairies. Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire and benefits from removal of thatch and competing vegetation.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wet meadows and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–45 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from light exposure during germination. May exhibit slow or erratic germination typical of sedges.