Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) is a tough, adaptable species in the sedge family (Cyperaceae), native to much of North America, except for the southeastern region. It thrives in wet and seasonally wet environments, including meadows, riverbanks, and wetlands, and can even grow in clay hardpan soils.

This sedge spreads readily by underground rhizomes, making it useful for erosion control on slopes. It also serves as an excellent lawn alternative, requiring significantly less water than traditional turfgrass. It can be mowed, tolerates moderate foot traffic, and works well in poorly draining areas or between pavers.

Plant type

Grass

Size

2 - 4 ft Tall
4 ft Wide

Form

Upright, Mounding

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

Green

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to -5° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as sufficient moisture is provided. Tolerates saline soil.,Tolerates sodic soil..
Soil PH: 6.0 - 7.0

Maintenance

Can be mowed to the ground to create a lawn-like appearance; it is a useful lawn substitute. Mowing every 4 to 6 weeks encourages production of side shoots from the base of stems.

Propagation

Propogate by bare root divisions.

Site type

Moist and semi-moist areas such as meadows, seeps, stream banks and lake/pond shoreline

Plant communities

Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal Strand, Creosote Bush Scrub, Red Fir Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Can be used with other plants of moist or semi-moist areas, including Marsh Elder (Iva hayesiana), Alkali Heath (Frankenia salina), Cardinal Monkeyflower (Erythranthe cardinalis), Scarlet Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis), Yerba Santa (Anemopsis californica), Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata), Iris spp., Dwarf Juniper (Juniperus communis), Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia spp.), Strawberry (Fragaria spp.), and Rushes (Juncus spp.)

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 9 likely

Confirmed Likely

American Ear Moth

Amphipoea americana

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Olive Green Cutworm Moth

Dargida procinctus

Elachista cucullata