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Sallow Sedge

Carex lurida

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

About Sallow Sedge

Sallow Sedge, also known as Shallow Sedge or Lurid Sedge, is a vibrant, tufted perennial that brings a splash of yellowish-green color to moist areas. Typically growing 1.5 to 3 feet tall, it is recognized by its bristly, cylindrical seed spikes that turn a warm yellowish-brown as they mature. Native to a wide range of wet habitats across eastern North America, it is frequently found in meadows, ditches, and along pond margins, often in acidic or sandy soils. Its ecological importance is notable, providing essential cover for amphibians and attracting waterfowl that consume its seeds. This adaptable sedge is an excellent choice for rain gardens, bioswales, or any consistently moist spot in the landscape. It thrives in various light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and is well-suited for wet to medium-wet soils. Its ability to provide both visual interest and vital ecological function makes it a dependable addition to naturalized water features.

Native range

Native to 34 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Carex lurida

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

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