Cyperaceae: Carex hoodii

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Family Name

Cyperaceae

Common Name

Hood’s sedge

Native American Name

Lakota: pȟeží psuŋpsúŋla

Description

Carex hoodii is a perennial sedge in the Cyperaceae family. It grows from a dense, fibrous root system with short rhizomes, forming loose tufts or small clumps rather than extensive sods. Stems (culms) are upright, slender, sharply three-angled, and range from 20–60 cm tall, smooth below but often rough near the inflorescence. Leaves are mostly basal, narrow, flat or slightly folded, 1–3 mm wide, and shorter than the culms, with rough margins and tight basal sheaths. Flowering occurs from late spring to mid-summer (May–July). Inflorescences are terminal and consist of 2–4 short, narrow spikes (each 1–2.5 cm long). The terminal spike is commonly staminate (male), while the lower spikes are pistillate (female), though some spikes may be androgynous. Pistillate flowers are enclosed in a sac-like perigynium, which is green to brown, ovoid to ellipsoid, 2.5–4 mm long and 1–1.5 mm wide, with a short, straight beak. The achene (seed) is lens-shaped, brown, and about 1.5 mm long, maturing in early to mid-summer. Hood’s sedge is native to South Dakota, typically found in dry to mesic prairies, open pine woods, rocky slopes, and sandy soils, and is most frequent in the Black Hills, Coteau des Prairies, and northern and western uplands.

Additional Notes

Hood’s sedge is native and used in prairie and woodland restoration projects, providing cover and food for native insects, small mammals, and birds.

Horticulture Notes

Seed Collection: Seeds are mature when perigynia turn brown and dry and detach easily, usually in early to mid-summer.

Germination: Seeds need cold stratification for 60–90 days and exposure to light; best sown in fall or after stratification in spring.

Vegetative Propagation: Can be propagated by dividing mature clumps in early spring or fall.

Soils: Prefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soils but is adaptable to a range of substrates.

Light: Grows best in full sun to partial shade.

Water: Tolerates dry to moderately moist conditions; drought-tolerant once established.