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Eastern Star Sedge

Carex radiata, commonly known as eastern star sedge (star-like flower clusters) or straight-styled wood sedge (tip of the female flower known as the style is straight rather than curled), is an evergreen perennial that typically produces a dense foliage clump to 8-12” tall of narrow, grass-like, medium green blades. This sedge is native to mesic to wet-mesic bottomlands and upland forests and on moist ravine slopes, sometimes in seasonally wet locations.

Group or mass as a clumping ground cover in shady areas of borders, woodland gardens or naturalized areas. Edging plant for paths or woodland areas. Also appropriate for areas with moist soils such as low spots or on the periphery of streams or ponds. [MissouriBotanicalGarden.org]

Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public domain

Larval Host for the

2-2.5'

1.5-2'

SIZE

SOIL

Average, Medium, Moist, Wet

LIGHT

Part Shade

BENEFITS

Songbirds, Butterfiles, Skippers, Moths, Waterfowl

NOTES

Best grown in moist to moderately wet, organically rich loams in sun-dappled to medium shade. Tolerates close to full shade. Soils should never be allowed to dry out and need consistent supplemental watering in hot summer weather

CHARACTERISTICS

Low Maintenance, Will Naturalize, Showy, Evergreen, Tolerates Wet, Relatively pest free

April, May

Sedge

This 

flowers in

Star Sedge

Carex radiata

DETAIL VIEW

DESCRIPTION

Carex radiata, commonly known as eastern star sedge (star-like flower clusters) or straight-styled wood sedge (tip of the female flower known as the style is straight rather than curled), is an evergreen perennial that typically produces a dense foliage clump to 8-12” tall of narrow, grass-like, medium green blades. This sedge is native to mesic to wet-mesic bottomlands and upland forests and on moist ravine slopes, sometimes in seasonally wet locations.

Group or mass as a clumping ground cover in shady areas of borders, woodland gardens or naturalized areas. Edging plant for paths or woodland areas. Also appropriate for areas with moist soils such as low spots or on the periphery of streams or ponds. [MissouriBotanicalGarden.org]

Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public domain
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