Carex deweyana

Common Names

Dewey's Sedge, Round-fruited Short-scaled Sedge

Summary

Dewey’s sedge is a perennial, grass-like sedge in the Cyperaceae that forms dense tufts or looser masses from a short upright rootstalk, with flowering culms reaching 20–120 cm and flat basal leaves 0.6–4.2 mm wide; the inflorescence consists of 2–8 erect spikes 2–6 cm long, often subtended by a long leaf-like involucral bract, and spikes are green to tan with 10–25 narrow perigynia per spike containing achenes 1.8–2.2 mm long; the lowest spikelet typically bears few staminate flowers at the base and many pistillate flowers toward the tip (gynecandrous), and two varieties (var. deweyana and var. collectanea) are recognized; the species is native to central and northern North America and has been introduced into Great Britain.

In cultivation, it tolerates shade and a range of moisture from dry to moist, prefers medium-textured soils with a pH around 5.4–7.0, and can be propagated by bare root, seed, or sprigs; it forms clumps suitable for woodland or naturalistic landscapes and provides wildlife value by attracting birds and offering habitat, with leaves usable for nesting.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

0.5–3.5 feet

Spread

0 inches

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade, tolerates full shade, exposure from sun to shade

Soil Type

Medium-textured soils, dry to moist

Soil Drainage

Wet-mesic to dry-mesic (mesic) soils

Soil pH

5.4-7.0

Acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Green

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, Attracts pollinators and/or other beneficial insects