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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Carex macrocephala

Carex macrocephala Willd. ex Spreng.

Largehead Sedge, Big-head Sedge

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CAMA10

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

This is a coarse, low, distinctive sedge with 4-14 in. stems rising singly or few together from long, creeping rhizomes. The firm leaves are clustered near the base but often surpass the flowering head in height. The large seedhead is dense and spikelike. Big-head sedge is a perennial plant.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 14 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent. Bloom time refers to fruiting period for Carex spp.

Distribution

USA: AK , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Coasts from Lincoln Co., OR to AK
Native Habitat: Sandy, coastal beaches & dunes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Sand.
Conditions Comments: Suitable for seaside gardens.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 62 - Burke Herbarium Image Collection (2020) University of Washington
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Carex macrocephala in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Carex macrocephala in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Carex macrocephala

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-24
Research By: TWC Staff

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