Cyperaceae: Carex muehlenbergii
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Family Name
Cyperaceae
Common Name
Sand sedge, Muhlenberg’s sedge
Native American Name
Lakota: pȟeží psuŋpsúŋla
Description
Carex muehlenbergii is a perennial sedge growing from a fibrous root system with slender, short rhizomes, forming loose tufts but not dense sods. Stems (culms) are upright, sharply three-angled, and range from 20–60 cm tall, usually smooth or sometimes slightly rough near the inflorescence. Leaves are mostly basal, narrow (1–3 mm wide), flat or slightly folded, and shorter than or about equal to the culms, with rough margins and sheathing bases. The ligule is a thin, translucent band about 1 to 2 millimeters high, often acute and sometimes with frayed edges. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer (May–July). The terminal inflorescence consists of 2–5 short, cylindrical spikes, with the top (terminal) spike usually staminate (male) and lower spikes pistillate (female), though some may be androgynous. Each flower has scale-like bracts subtending small florets. Stamens number three with slender filaments and pollen-bearing anthers; the pistil has a single ovary with one style and two branching stigmas. Pistillate flowers are enclosed in a sac-like perigynium, which is green to brown, ovoid, 2.5–4 mm long and about 1 mm wide, with a short, straight beak. The achene (seed) is lens-shaped, brown, and about 1.5 mm long, maturing in early to midsummer. Sand sedge is native to South Dakota, most commonly found in dry, sandy prairies, open woodlands, sand dunes, and disturbed sandy soils, and is widespread but especially abundant in sandy uplands and the central and western parts of the state.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Seeds are mature when perigynia turn brown and dry and can be stripped easily from the spike, usually in early to midsummer.
Germination: Seeds require 60–90 days of cold stratification and exposure to light for optimal germination; best sown in fall or after stratification in spring.
Vegetative Propagation: Can be propagated by division of clumps in early spring or fall.
Soils: Prefers dry, well-drained sandy soils and is adapted to nutrient-poor sites.
Light: Thrives in full sun, tolerates light shade.
Water: Highly drought-tolerant; requires minimal supplemental water once established.
Additional Notes
Sand sedge is native and valued in prairie restorations and erosion control projects on sandy soils. It provides cover and food for native insects, small mammals, and birds.