Native Plants
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Carex plantaginea
Carex plantaginea Lam.
Plantainleaf Sedge, Plantain-leaf Sedge
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CAPL4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A 1-2 ft. sedge; the plant strongly tinged with red-purple at the base and on the sheaths. The evergreen leaves are broad, up to an inch across, and have puckered ribs.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Margin: Entire
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Spike
Flower:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Not ApplicableBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent. Bloom time refers to fruiting period for Carex spp.
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS , QC
Native Distribution: N.B. to s.e. Man, s. to CT, PA, n.e. IL & e. IA; also s. in uplands to GA & AL
Native Habitat: Moist, rich woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Propagation
Description: Divide established clumps.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Groundcover to reduce erosion for shady area in New York
May 05, 2009
We live on a lake with gravelly and clay soils, lots of wind and little sun. I am looking for a native ground cover that will help reduce erosion over some of the steep slopes facing south (under shad...
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Carex plantaginea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Carex plantaginea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Carex plantaginea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-12-07Research By: TWC Staff