Beaked Sedge

Carex rostrata

Native to:
Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Labrador, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Cyperaceae
Genus:
Carex
Species:
Carex rostrata
USDA Symbol:
CARO6

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
100 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul,aug

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator), Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
waterfowl, songbirds, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
peaty, nutrient-rich, waterlogged soil
pH:
5.0 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in wetlands and bogs

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Cold-moist stratification improves germination. Seeds require light and consistent moisture.

Pre-treatment: Seed is stored in cool-dry conditions at approximately 50°F and relative humidity of 20-30%. Seed is stratified by placing 20g of seed in a 236 ml jar with 8g of green sphagnum moss wrapped in a permeable cloth. The jar is filled with water and stored at 39°F for 30 days.

Source: npn.rngr.net