Fringed Sedge

Appearance

Carex crinita is a vigorous evergreen sedge that grows in dense clumps, often forming large hummocks. The plants produce many leafy culms that reach a 2-3’ height before flowering.

The leaves are glossy and strap-shaped with color that varies from bright green to blue green.

In summer the culms rise above the foliage displaying drooping fringe-like spikelets. The inflorescences are gray green and bristly due to their prickly pistillate scales. The unique tassely spikelets are about 4” long and are very mobile – moving in the slightest breeze.

The pistillate spikelets are densely packed with perigynia or inflated sacs that enclose the pistils and seed. As the seed matures, the perigynium takes on a golden brown color. Eventually it breaks off and floats away transporting the achene to a new home.

Plants are about 4’ tall with an equal spread.

Distribution

Carex crinita is native to eastern and parts of central North America from Manitoba to Quebec, and south from Minnesota to Texas and from Maine to Georgia.

Habitat

Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), marshes, meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes, swamps.