Carex albolutescens

greenwhite sedge
Family

Cyperaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear

Growth Form

graminoid

Flower Color

inconspicuous

Flower Month

April - July

Height (meters)

0.2 - 0.8

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Cool season


Wetland Class

FACW

Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism

3

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

4

Field Characters

Male flowers beneath female flowers. Male flowers brown. Spikes point up, 0.5 inch long. Tip of spikes rounded or oval shaped. Perigynia broadest at middle and tapers at end

Cultural Information

Steffen (1997) reports the seeds of most Carex species germinate best when planted fresh.

Animal Use

Carex is considered an important cover plant for waterfowl. The following information is for the genus Carex: Animals that eat its seeds: Coot, Canvasback duck, American golden eye duck, Mallard duck, Pintail duck, Redhead duck, Blue-winged teal duck, Cinnamon teal duck, Green-winged teal duck, Wood duck, Virginia rail, Yellow rail, Stilt sandpiper, White-rumped sandpiper, Wild tukey, Woodcock, Painted bunting, Cardinal, Horned lark, Savannah sparrow, Tree sparrow. Animals that eat its seeds and leaves: Black bear, Jack rabbit, Eastern gray squirrel, Animals that eat its seeds, leaves, roots: Common mole. Animals that eat the plant: White-tailed deer (Martin et al. 1951).

Natural History

This sedge occurs mostly in moist sandy areas throughout most of Louisiana and southeast Texas. It is widespread in the eastern United States, occurring from Canada to Florida and west to Texas, through the coastal states, and west to Michigan in the north.

Habitat

Low fields, meadows, swamps, thickets, wet wooded areas, and marshes.