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Bristleleaf Sedge

Carex eburnea

A tiny, exceptionally fine-textured sedge forming ivory-green cushions barely ankle high. Native to limestone ledges and dry alkaline woods, so it takes the sharp drainage and higher pH most woodland plants refuse. Slowly spreads into a delicate mat.

Family

Cyperaceae

Type

grass

Lifespan

perennial

Height

0.5–1 ft

Spacing

0.5–1 ft apart

Light

part shade, shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

neutral

Bloom

May, June, July

Bloom colors

green, brown

Wildlife value

songbirds, larval host

Landscape uses

groundcover, naturalizing

Native states

AK, AL, AR, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY