Carex crinita (Fringed Sedge) Unity Grown

Carex crinita, commonly referred to as fringed sedge, is an evergreen native grass that is found in wetland habitats, including wet meadows, marshes, and other swampy areas. Growing to two to three feet tall, or four feet with flowers, Carex crinita prefers moist to wet soils in full to part sun, and forms large rhizomal colonies over time; while Carex crinita make crowd out other aquatic plants, its thick rhizomes make it an excellent plant for wetland restoration and erosion control.

While it consistently prefers well-drained moist to wet soil conditions, Fringed Sedge can tolerate standing water, heavy clay soils, and seasonal flooding as well as drier, well-drained soil conditions. From May to June, Carex crinita produces small, spiky flowers which are unremarkable; fringed sedge is, however, a host plant for several butterfly and moth species, whose caterpillars will eat its foliage.