Description

Carex deweyana 

Clumping grass-like sedge with small seed heads.

Height: 0.5m

Edible: N

Medicine: N

Other Uses: Y

Poisonous: N

Soil: Moist to dry

Watering: Drought-tolerant, prefers moist conditions.

Sun: Partial shade

Usually found at: Forest openings, moist woodlands, stream banks, and clearings

 

Leaves: Basal and alternate, mostly near the base. 0.6 to 4.2 mm wide, Leaves are hairless and smooth, V-shaped in cross-section when young.

Flowers: Dewey sedge bears an inflorescence that averages from 2-6 cm in length, consisting of 2-8 spikes per stem. The spikes range from green to tan in colour, are erect, and are attached directly to the stem in a loosely clustered manner.

Berries: Has a two-sided lens shaped achene which ranges from 1-2 mm in length.

First Nations uses: Indigenous peoples in America used the leaves of some species of sedge for thread as decoration. Leaves and stems are still used for basketry.

 

Note: Native plant sales are pick-up only at Suwa’lkh School (1432 Brunette Ave in Coquitlam). Email suwa’lkh@freshroots.ca for more information.