Carex cherokeensis Schwein.

Cherokee Sedge

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Cherokee Sedge is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sedge family (Cyperaceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama. Cherokee Sedge occurs in prairies, in cedar glades, on limestone outcrops, in floodplain forests, in cemeteries, in pastures, and on roadsides. It is a perennial with a short, thick rhizome with persistent reddish-brown leaf bases. It forms slow-growing clumps. Culms are dark reddish brown at the base and three-angled (sedges have edges). The dark green leaves are 8-20 inches in length and flat to channeled at the base. Leaves are linear, glabrous, and have parallel veins. The edges of the leaves and the midrib on the lower side of the leaf are scabrous. The leaf sheaths are reddish brown. The inflorescence consists of a terminal staminate spike and 4-12 pedunculate lateral pistillate spikes. Pistillate spikes contain 20-50 flowers enclosed in inflated sac-like structures called perigynia. Each perigynia is subtended by a pale greenish-white scale with a green midrib. The perigynia is pale green or straw colored with 2 ribs and 7-10 veins. It has a beak with 2 short teeth. The fruit is an achene. The achene is ovoid. Cherokee Sedge is available from native plant nurseries. It is adaptable and will grow in wet or dry sites and in full sun or medium shade. It does very well in heavy clay soils. It can be used as a “filler” in prairie and meadow plantings, as a groundcover on steep slopes, and as an edging plant for perennial or shrub beds. It is deer resistant and many species of birds and small mammals feed on its fruit.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL)

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