Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Shortbeak Sedge; Plains Oval Sedge

Carex brevior
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Early (Feb - Apr), Mid (May - June)
Main Color:
Fall Color:

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

green sedge covering land in front of red building
Elliot Duemler
Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Food/Birds
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size

Height:

6 to
12
inches

Spread:

6 to
12
inches
Size
Height: 6 to
12
inches
Spread: 6 to
12
inches
Size
Height: 6 to
12
inches
Spread: 6 to
12
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Establishment and Care Instructions
For a more formal look, trim dead foliage before plants leaf out in early spring.
Special Features
Special Usage
Ground Cover, Rainscaping
Basic Description

Attractive oval-shaped golden-brown spikes appear on 10-inch stems. Short and compact sedge that is drought tolerant.

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!

Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

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