Carex buxbaumii

Wahlenb.

Cyperaceae Edible: Root, Seeds 1,899 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Carex buxbaumii is a species of sedge known as Buxbaum's sedge or club sedge. It is native to much of the northern Northern Hemisphere, from Alaska to Greenland to Eurasia, and including most of Canada and the United States. It grows in wet habitat, such as marshes and fens. This sedge grows in clumps from long rhizomes. The stems are 75–100 cm (30–39 in) in maximum height. The leaves are narrow and small. The inflorescence has a bract which is sometimes longer than the spikes. The fruits have dark-colored bracts and a sac called a perigynium or utricle which is gray-green and rough in texture.

Description

A perennial sedge reaching 0.6 m (2 ft) tall. Monoecious with wind-pollinated flowers appearing June to July, seeds maturing July to August. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH ranges. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, preferring consistently moist or wet conditions.

Edible Uses

The root can be eaten cooked, and the seed is also edible, though it is small and fiddly to work with.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. Tasmanian Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Australia, Britain, Europe, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a damp to wet soil in full sun or shade. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ in spring in moist soil in light shade. If seed is scarce, sow in a cold frame and plant out in summer. Seed typically germinates in 2–6 weeks at 15°C. Divide in spring — larger clumps can go directly into permanent positions, but smaller clumps are best potted up and grown on in a cold frame until rooting well, then planted out in summer or the following spring.

Other Uses

The leaves are used for bedding.

Notes

There are about 2000 Carex species. There are 200 species in tropical America.

References (3)

Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 24:163. 1803
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 61