Carex acutiformis - Swamp Sedge

Family:	Cyperaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, Asia and N. America.

Carex acutiformis (Swamp Sedge) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are monoecious (both sexes are found on the plant but each flower is either male or female) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Swamp Sedge will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Swamp Sedge prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Swamp Sedge can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Saline marshes in E. Massachusetts[204].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country and also in saline soils. There is some doubt about the validity of this name. The original report on the plants uses is for a species called C. acutifolia. Ehrh. which is said to be native to Europe but is not in 'Flora Europaea'. We feel that this name is probably a misprint for C. acutiformis[K]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a damp to wet soil in full sun or shade[162, 200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Root - cooked[172]. Seed[172]. No further details are given, but the seed is small and fiddly to use[K].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in the spring in a moist soil in light shade. If seed is in short supply it can be sown in a cold frame and be planted out in the summer. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 15°c[138]. Division in spring[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

• Bedding - Used as a lining for sleeping on or putting fruits etc on.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Canada
Livingstone. B.
Author: Livingstone. B.
Rating:
Publisher : In 4 volumes, it does not deal with plant uses but gives descriptions and habitats.
Date of Publication : 1978

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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