Carex crinita (Fringed Sedge) Unity Grown

Carex crinita, commonly referred to as fringed sedge, is an evergreen native grass that is found in wetland habitats, including wet meadows, marshes, and other swampy areas. Growing to two to three feet tall, or four feet with flowers, Carex crinita prefers moist to wet soils in full to part sun, and spread via roots to form large colonies over time; while Carex crinita may crowd out other aquatic plants, its thick rhizomes make it an excellent plant for wetland restoration and erosion control.

While it prefers consistently well-drained moist to wet soil conditions, fringed sedges can tolerate standing water, heavy clay soils, and seasonal flooding as well as drier, well-drained soil conditions. From May to June, Carex crinita produces small, spiky flowers which are unremarkable and brown with light green tufts; fringed sedge is, however, a host plant for several butterfly and moth species, whose caterpillars will eat its foliage, making it a great choice for native rain gardens and wetter pollinator gardens.