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Long-toothed Lake Sedge

Carex laeviconia

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Category
Grass / Sedge / Rush
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Wet to Medium-Wet
Bloom time
Jun–Jul

About Long-toothed Lake Sedge

Smooth-sheathed Sedge (Carex laeviconia) is a versatile and charming addition to any native garden looking to embrace natural beauty and ecological function. This graceful sedge features slender, arching green blades with uniquely smooth, glossy sheaths that add texture and movement to moist landscapes. Native to wetlands and damp woodlands across the eastern United States, it thrives in full to partial sun and prefers consistently wet to medium-wet soils, making it ideal for rain gardens, stream banks, and shaded boggy spots. Blooming in May and June, Smooth-sheathed Sedge produces inconspicuous flowers that quietly support local pollinators and provide critical habitat for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Beyond its subtle floral display, its dense root system helps stabilize soil and improve water quality, enhancing the health of surrounding ecosystems. For best growth, plant Smooth-sheathed Sedge in areas that mimic its natural moist conditions and enjoy seasonal dampness without prolonged drought. Embrace this cool-season native sedge to add year-round interest, ecological value, and resilience to your garden or restoration project.

Native range

Native to 19 states:

ArkansasCaliforniaColoradoD.C.IowaIdahoIllinoisKansasLouisianaMinnesotaMissouriMontanaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew YorkSouth DakotaTexasWashingtonWisconsin

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Carex laeviconia

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

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