Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Carex hystericina is a species of sedge known by the common names bottlebrush sedge and porcupine sedge. It is native to much of North America including most of southern Canada and most of the United States. It grows in wet habitat such as wetlands and riverbanks, especially on calcareous soils. In the right conditions it can become very abundant and even weedy. This sedge produces dense or loose clumps of triangular stems up to a meter tall from short rhizomes. The flower cluster is several centimeters long and is accompanied by a leaf which is longer than the spikes. The fruits are coated in perigynia with pointed, toothed tips. It is highly recommend for sedge meadow restorations.

Plant type

Grass

Size

3 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Brown

Special uses

Containers

Sun

Full Sun

Site type

Wet places

Plant communities

Freshwater Marsh, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Dun Skipper

Euphyes vestris