Awl-fruited Sedge

About Awl-fruited Sedge

Awl-fruited Sedge (Carex stipata) is a vigorous, fast-growing perennial that is essential for wetland restoration and rain gardens. Often called Prickly Sedge or Sawbeak Sedge, it reaches a robust height of three feet and features thick, triangular stems with wide, yellowish-green leaves that create a dense, lush appearance very quickly. Blooming in May and June, the prickly, fox-tail-like flower spikes are both ornamental and functional, providing a wealth of seeds for ducks, woodcocks, and swamp sparrows. Native across nearly all of North America, it is commonly found in marshes, wet meadows, and along shorelines. It is exceptionally adaptable to light, thriving in anything from full sun to full shade, though it requires consistently moist or wet soils. This sedge is particularly valued for its ability to establish rapidly in disturbed areas, making it an excellent choice for erosion control. Deer resistant and attractive to numerous butterfly larvae, Awl-fruited Sedge is a powerhouse for any wet landscape.