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Water Sedge

Carex aquatilis

Water sedge is a rhizomatous sedge of marshes, fens, and pond margins across the North, forming lush stands in standing water. Key wetland habitat and waterfowl food. The stem bases are edible raw.

Family

Cyperaceae

Type

grass

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2.9–2.9 ft

Spacing

1–2 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

July, August

Bloom colors

white, green, brown

Wildlife value

songbirds, larval host, mammals

Landscape uses

border, naturalizing

Native states

AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY