Fact Sheet

Blue Sedge

vascular plant

Carex flacca

Description

Cool-season sedge grow to a height of 30-45 cm and a width of 30-45 cm, forming a dense clump that slowly creeps and spreads. It has 3 mm wide leaves which are narrow, arching, and coarse; blue-green on top and blue-gray underneath. Inconspicuous flowers appear on terminal, cylindrical spikes in early summer (May-July). On this spike are the plant’s densely-packed fruit, which are 2-2.5 cm long and roundish with a very short beak.

Habitat & Impact

Blue Sedge thrives in moist soils. It is often found in full sun, but also does well in the shade of large trees. It prefers areas of high pH bedrock, rich forests, swamps, and wet meadows. Blue Sedge threatens and pushes out native species that live in these areas, such as Ram’s Head Lady’s Slipper – a legally protected species in Nova Scotia.

Pathway

Introduced from Europe as a garden ornamental.

Blue sedge
Mat of Switchgrass

Native Alternative

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a pink-tinged ornamental grass that is native to North America.

Key Identification Features

Soft Blue foliage, densely packed fruits on a spike.

Blue sedge
© JACK4, iNat
Blue sedge
Close-up view of seeds
Blue sedge
Seed bundle

Interesting Fact

Carex comes from the Latin word for “cutter,” referring to the sharp leaves and stem edges of this plant.

Stewardship Actions

If sighted, report to iNaturalist or directly to the NSISC. Choose native plants over invasive plants when planning your garden. If removing Blue Sedge species from private property, be sure not to burn or compost the plant. Instead, double bag it and leave it in the sun to rot, then discard.