Showy Sedge
Carex spectabilis
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Canada, Russia, United States
iNaturalist: © tomkaye (iNaturalist #88657458)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- Carex spectabilis
- USDA Symbol:
- CASP5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- brown
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus), Oeneis ivallda
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained, organic-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers alpine and subalpine meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and benefit from cold-moist stratification to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Seeds require 6 weeks of cool/moist stratification at 38F or a 5 month outdoor cold, moist stratification when fall sown.
Establishment: Collect mature inflorescences when perigynia and scales turn dark brown. Seeds are collected in late August to mid September and are kept in paper bags in a drying shed prior to cleaning. Germination rates were reported to be low even with pre-treatment.
Source: npn.rngr.net