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Rhynchospora colorata
Rhynchospora colorata (L.) H. Pfeiffer
Whitetop Sedge, White-topped Sedge, Starrush Whitetop, Star Sedge, Star Rush
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Synonym(s): Dichromena colorata, Rhynchospora drummondiana, Rhynchospora stellata, Schoenus coloratus
USDA Symbol: RHCO7
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N)
Spikelets in a round cluster enclosed at base by a set of 5-6 long, drooping, white bracts with green tips; stem triangular.
The striking whitish bracts on this sedge make it appear as if it has showy, daisy-like flowers. These bracts attract insect pollinators, which is unusual in this primarily wind-pollinated family. The genus name is from the Greek rhynchos ("beak") and spora ("seed") and alludes to the beaked achenes. The showier Sand-swamp White-top Sedge (R. latifolia), with at least seven longer, wider bracts, is most conspicuous in wet pinelands and savannas; it occurs on the coastal plain from North Carolina to Florida and west to Mississippi. Both species are sometimes placed in the genus Dichromena.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 28 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VANative Distribution: Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas.
Native Habitat: Frequent in swales, ditches and wet places in southeast Texas, Rio Grande Plains, Edwards Plateau, to Trans-Pecos. Grows in sand, loam, or clay, poor drainage okay. Sometimes grows submerged in shallow water.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Conditions Comments: Star sedge is a showy addition to a bog or water garden. It will also grow in regular garden soil with plenty of water. Divide the plant when the clumps get too big. Cut star sedge back in winter to make room for fresh spring growth.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesInteresting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-TS-1 Collected 2009-07-27 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
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Web Reference
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
Research Literature
Reslit 2628 - Suitability of monocots for rearing alien coconut pest Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (2011) W. Sugeno, K. Kawazu, S. Takano, S. Nakamura, A. M...Reslit 2629 - Interaction between algae and seed germination in tropical dune slack species: a facilitation process (1998) G. Vazquez, P. Moreno-Casasola, O. Barrera
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
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Additional resources
USDA: Find Rhynchospora colorata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Rhynchospora colorata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhynchospora colorata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-24Research By: TWC Staff