Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Thursday - November 12, 2009
From: Kensington, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Clearing up the nativity of so-called Baltimore sedge (Carex senta)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Dear Smarty Pants: Hi, did you ever get more clarity on the Carex senta issue (baltimore sedge)? Whether or not it was a wetland grass? I too am in Maryland and was thinking of planting it for a lawn, but not if it's only native way out west. If you have any other recommendation for a shade-loving native for a lawn, that would be wonderful. thanks in advance.ANSWER:
Carex senta (swamp carex) according to the USDA Plants Database is native to Arizona, New Mexico and California and according to the Flora of North America it grows along streams and in wet meadows in Arizona, California, and Mexico—not New Mexico. Someone apparently misidentified a sedge in New Mexico as C. senta when it was really Carex stricta (upright sedge). You obviously have read our previous question and answer concerning Carex senta but we still do not know why it is called 'Baltimore sedge' by some sources. USDA Plants Database says its common name is 'swamp carex' and Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) gives its common name as 'swamp carex' or 'swamp sedge'. Flora of North America didn't assign it a common name. If you have read Sedge Lawns for Every Landscape by John Greenlee (and I suspect you have), you know that he calls it 'Baltimore sedge', but we have no idea where he got the common name. The bottom line, however, is that Carex senta is not native to Maryland, despite its sometimes common name. We can, however, suggest some other shade-loving plants for lawns that are native to Maryland:
SEDGES AND GRASSES:
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge) and here are more photos and information and still more.
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) and here are more photos and information and still more.
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats), wouldn't be considered a turf grass, but it is very attractive even after seed heads have set.
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) is a tall attractive clumping grass.
GROUNDCOVER-TYPE WOODY AND HERBACEOUS PLANTS:
Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry) evergreen.
Cornus canadensis (bunchberry dogwood)
Geum canadense (white avens) evergreen.
Linnaea borealis (twinflower) evergreen.
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) evergreen.
Packera obovata (roundleaf ragwort) evergreen.
Tiarella cordifolia (heartleaf foamflower)
PHOTOS FROM OUR IMAGE GALLERY:
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Grass for detention pond in Illinois
October 06, 2008 - Hi, please advise regarding grass for bottom of detention pond. I have pond with drawdown time 4 days, what grass could survive being underwater 4 days, and not die? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Native plants to make houses for sale more attractive
November 03, 2006 - I could use your suggestions: I have 2 small houses in Dallas which I am trying to sell, and would like to beautify -- with plants.
Currently there are no shrubs or groundcover or trees -- nor anyo...
view the full question and answer
Plants for 60 degree slope in Mobile, AL
February 09, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,I live on an eroding 60 foot bluff in USDA Zone 8A, along Mobile Bay (AL). To address erosion problems we are using a gabion-style product called "Green Terramesh," which is ...
view the full question and answer
Certified organic native grass seeds for Texas
August 10, 2014 - Thanks for your previous answer to my pasture grass seed question. We know about Native American Seed but they don't sell certified organic seeds. We're not sure whether we'll be able to find cer...
view the full question and answer
Tolerance to foot traffic for native turf grass
December 16, 2010 - I have read your articles on your mix of three native seeds for turf grass and on other native grasses but am left with a couple of lingering questions. We have about a 600 sq. ft area we want to plan...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |