Running Marsh Sedge

About Running Marsh Sedge

Sartwell's Sedge, or Running Marsh Sedge, is a robust, rhizomatous perennial that is a key component of healthy wet prairie and marsh ecosystems. This species typically grows between two and three feet tall, featuring stiffly erect stems and long, narrow leaves that create a strong vertical presence. In late spring and early summer (May to June), it produces elongated, brownish flowering spikes that are densely packed along the upper portion of the stem. Unlike many clumping sedges, Sartwell's Sedge spreads via vigorous underground rhizomes, allowing it to form extensive, stabilizing colonies in wet environments. This growth habit makes it particularly effective for erosion control and wetland restoration projects. Native to wet meadows and fens across the northern and central United States, it provides essential habitat and food for a variety of wetland-dependent wildlife, including waterfowl and songbirds. It performs best in full sun and consistently wet to medium-wet soils.