Northwest Territory Sedge
Carex utriculata
- Native to:
- Baltic States, Belarus, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sweden, United States
iNaturalist: © frousseu (iNaturalist #62597114)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- Carex utriculata
- USDA Symbol:
- CAUT
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator), Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, songbirds, muskrats, wetland mammals
- Fall Color:
- tan, brown
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, moisture-retentive soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–45 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow on consistently moist substrate. Seeds may exhibit variable dormancy and germination can be erratic.
Pre-treatment: Seed placed in linen bags and soaked in cold running water for 2 days. Bags were placed between layers of shagnum moss which was kept at 2 degrees C (35 degrees F) for thirty days and then seed was sown.
Source: npn.rngr.net