Carex cherokeensis

cherokee sedge
Family

Cyperaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear

Growth Form

graminoid

Flower Color

brown, green, yellow

Flower Month

May - June

Height (meters)

0.4 - 0.9

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

3

Field Characters

The short, black rhizome is thickest of any of our carexs and the lowest bract is never as long at the terminal spikelet. 4-12 spikelets per culm. Perigynium reflexed. Triangular stem. Male inflorescence at top, separate male spike. Upper female spikes point up, lower spikes point down. Only carex with taproot. Can be confused with C. oxiolepias that has 3-5 spikelets and no rhizome.

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

Cherokee sedge is abundant in sandy loam soils in woodlands. It is usually found in prairies after woody invasion has begun and appears to be an indicator of the need for fire. It is found in east, southeast, and north central Texas, and all of Louisiana. It is a southern species ranging from the Gulf States to Georgia, and west to Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.

Habitat

Low woods, sandy loam soils.