Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Carex utriculata is a species of sedge known by the common name Northwest Territory sedge. It is native to the northern half of North America, including most all of Canada and the northern United States. It is also found in parts of Eurasia. It is a common plant in many types of wetland habitat. This colonial sedge produces stems exceeding one meter in maximum height from a thick network of long rhizomes. The flower cluster is a cylindrical mass of flowers up to about 40 centimeters long with an accompanying leaflike leaf which is generally longer than the flower spike. Each flower cluster bears up to 200 developing fruits, each enclosed in a shiny green, golden or brown perigynium.

Plant type

Grass

Size

2 - 4 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Green

Flowering season

Summer

Special uses

Containers

Sun

Partial Shade

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Site type

Wet places, shallow water

Plant communities

Coastal Prairie, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 7 likely

Confirmed Likely

American Ear Moth

Amphipoea americana

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Olive Green Cutworm Moth

Dargida procinctus

Dun Skipper

Euphyes vestris