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Short-headed Bracted Sedge

Carex cephalophora

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Category
Grass / Sedge / Rush
Sun
Full to Shade
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry
Bloom time
May–Jun
Notes
Cool

About Short-headed Bracted Sedge

Short-headed Bracted Sedge (Carex cephalophora), also known as Oval-headed Sedge, is a versatile and compact native sedge that brings a tidy, tufted texture to any landscape. Reaching a height of 8 to 36 inches, this species is characterized by its small, dense, oval-shaped seed clusters that appear in late spring and early summer. It is a highly adaptable plant, thriving in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade and tolerating dry to average moisture levels. Naturally found in open woods, thickets, and wooded slopes across a large portion of North America, it serves as a valuable ecological component by providing seeds for small birds and supporting local insect populations. Its non-aggressive, clump-forming habit makes it an ideal choice for woodland borders, shaded groundcovers, or as a 'filler' in native garden beds where a low-maintenance, green accent is desired.

Native range

Native to 38 states:

AlabamaArkansasCaliforniaConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Carex cephalophora

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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