• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Cure Nursery

Native Plants of the Southeast

  • Home
  • Native Plant Library
    • Search by Plant Characteristics
    • Search by Scientific Name
    • Search by Common Names
  • Availability & Pricing
  • Resources
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Carex retroflexa
Old Field Sedge, Rosy Sedge, Curly Wood Sedge, Reflexed Sedge

Photo by Cure Nursery

This plant is not currently for sale.  This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

Old Field Sedge, or Reflexed Sedge, is a clump-forming, evergreen, grasslike plant usually found in dry, deciduous forests throughout Eastern North America. In NC it occurs in some of the piedmont counties, including our own Chatham County. It grows best in bright shade or partial sun environments and can thrive in both moist and dry conditions. Over a broad area, the clumping is not so evident and the effect is delicate and lawn-like. It does produces seed heads which add visual interest to the otherwise smoothe surface. Eight to ten inches in height, and tolerant of light foot traffic, this sedge lends itself well to the low-maintenance “No-mow” alternative lawn movement. It spreads and thickens by seed, not by rhizomes. Old Field Sedge has proven itself to be a useful textural element and ground cover under broad-leaved shrubs and trees.

Last Updated: November 12, 2021

Key Info

Scientific Name: Carex retroflexa Muhl. ex Willd.
Common Names: Old Field Sedge, Rosy Sedge, Curly Wood Sedge, Reflexed Sedge
Family Name: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Plant Type: Grass / Grass-like, Groundcover
Uses: Groundcover - Evergreen
Light Requirement: Dappled sun, Full shade-bright, Partial/sunny, Partial/shady
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Bloom Times: May
Flower Color: Inconspicuous
Special Characteristics: Reported to be deer resistant, Tolerates shade, Tolerates drought, Evergreen

Additional Info

Habit: Small sedge with grass-like leaves protruding from a central clump.
Height: 1'-2'
Spread: 1'-2'
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Conditions: average to dry, well drained, slightly acid, loamy, clay
Leaves: fine textured, grass-like leaves
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Spikes of green flowers (no sepals or petals) maturing to brown.
Fruit: Clusters of small seeds on the ends of fruiting stalks.
Natural Distribution: Bottomlands, upland deciduous forests, steam banks
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACU
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: Seeds provide food and foliage provides cover for small mammals and birds.
Cultural Notes: Nice ground cover if planted densely.
Propagation: By division or by seed.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
View All Plant Availability & Pricing

Footer

contact us

facebook.com/curenursery
curenursery@gmail.com
Office/Jen/Bill:  919-542-6186

Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

our hours

Cure Nursery operates by appointment only. Call us or email us to place an order for pick up or to arrange a time to come visit the nursery.

Copyright © 2022 Cure Nursery · All Rights Reserved · Resources · Website by Tomatillo Design