Carex comosa
Bearded Sedge, Bottlebrush Sedge
General
Bearded sedge, also called bottle brush sedge, is a common wetland sedge found in the northeast. Carex comosa will form clumps where it grows, providing cover and food for a variety of wetland birds, including Virginia and Sora rails. It is commonly found on shore edges, wet meadows, and in shallow water. The extensive root system of Bearded Sedge aids in stabilizing soil along stream banks and in wetland areas, thus helping to prevent erosion. The dense clumps of foliage offer cover for small mammals, birds, and amphibians, while the seeds and vegetative parts serve as a food source for many species of birds and herbivorous mammals.
Plant Description
A perennial sedge native to North America. It forms dense tufts of slender, arching leaves that can grow up to 3-4 feet tall, giving it a graceful and elegant appearance. In late spring to early summer, it produces elongated, cylindrical flower spikes that rise above the foliage, adding a distinctive vertical accent to wetland edges and woodland habitats where it thrives. The flower is a green inflorescence of mostly spiky female flowers, with one longer male flower at the top. The culms are triangular and smooth, with long, smooth narrow leaf sheathes growing alternately.
Height (ft)
2-4
Soil moisture
High
Soil types
Muddy wetland soils
Wetland indicator
OBL
Shade tolerance
Intermediate, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom color
Green
Bloom period
Summer
Drought tolerance
Low
Salinity tolerance
Low
Distribution
Common on the eastern coast from Maine to Florida, and along the Great Lakes to Minnesota. Some disjunct populations in Alabama, Louisiana, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Some rare populations along the Mississippi and on the Pacific Coast.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]