Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Cyperaceae

Genus:

Carex

Species:

Carex tetrastachya

USDA Symbol:

CATE29

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire. Common in fire-maintained prairies and oak savannas of the Pacific Northwest.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–45 days

Notes:

Seeds benefit from cold-moist stratification and germinate best with surface sowing in light. Fresh seed germinates more reliably than stored seed.