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Leavenworth's Sedge

Carex leavenworthii

Other common name(s):

Family:

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Clay, Gravelly, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Green, Brown

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds

Maintenance

This sedge performs well in a wide range of soils including sandy, clay, seasonally flooded or alkaline. Established plants are drought and heat tolerant, pest resistant and unpalatable to deer and other herbivores. Provides erosion control and winter interest, and a natural lawn alternative. Replaces invasives: Liriope muscari.

Comments

Clumping perennial sedge with very narrow dark green leaves. In late spring small dense green clusters of flower spikes appear above the leaves. Plants occur in partly sunny to shady mesic or dry woods. Attractive to birds and pollinators.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonyms: Carex cephalophora var. angustifolia, Carex cephalophora var. leavenworthii

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=39663#null, 2) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=8734&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CALE6, 4) https://www.newmoonnursery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.printDetail/plant_id/484/index.htm

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Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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