Carex vulpinoidea

Clump forming, leaves longer than stem, bristle-like bracts at base of some spikelets, stems firm with whitish, thin wrinkled sheaths. One continuous spike, 1.5 inches long. Very common. Male flowers inconspicuous at tip of spike above female flowers. One very long bract at base of spike.

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

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).

The variety platycarpa is frequent found in mud in east and southeast Texas and all of Louisiana. It also ranges throughout eastern temperate North America.

Marshes, ditches, low woods, shores of ponds and lakes.