Pennsylvania sedge is an herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) native to thickets and dry woodland areas in eastern North America, including North Carolina. Its species epithet is an accepted Latinization of Pennsylvania, the state where it was first collected and described. Pennsylvania sedge tolerates heavy shade and wet soils, though its ideal location is dry to moist shade. It does not want full sun. Pennsylvania sedge is semi-evergreen, dying back under very cold temperatures. While it is native to NC, it tends to perform best in cooler climates. The taxonomy of the sedges ( Carex spp . ) is difficult, and identifying the species requires careful study. There is some indication that the southern population of this species, including those naturally occurring in North Carolina, belong to a different, as yet undescribed species. This plant is a good lawn substitute for shady areas but will not tolerate heavy foot traffic. It forms an ideal turf alternative in dry shade areas, needing mowing only once or twice a season to maintain a 2-inch height. It also makes a great underplanting for taller perennials. Use it in a native, woodland, or winter garden. It would also work well in a children’s garden or a sensory garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Smut, rust and leaf spot are occasional problems, along with aphids, anthracnose and fungus gnat larvae. More information on Carex .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial; Native Plant; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet | Very Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Papery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan; Green; White
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers bloom from April to May. Plants are monoecious, male flowers appear in spiklets above the female flowers. Inflorescences are at the tip of rough, triangular stems. Staminate scales are green with reddish-purple with white margins. Pistillate scales are dark brown to purple-black with green midribs and white margins.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Displays from May to June.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central & E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
Wildlife value
This plant supports larvae of certain satyrine butterflies (Nymphalidae-Satyrinae). Birds and small mammals consume the achenes and use the plants for cover.
Attracts
Butterflies; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Children's Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Garden for the Blind; Native Garden; Rain Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden