Carex utriculata
| Carex utriculata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 4' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Carex utriculata (common name: sedge)
Propagation: Seed - sow in situ in the spring in a moist soil in light shade. If seed is in short supply it can be sown in a cold frame and be planted out in the summer. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 15°c[1].
Division in spring[2]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Easily grown in a damp to wet soil in full sun or shade[3][2].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[4].
Range: N. America - Newfoundland and southwards.
Habitat: Shallow water and swamps[5].
Edibility: The pith of the stem can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a sugary taste[6].
Root and tuberous stem bases - cooked[6][7]. Eaten by children[8].
Seed[7]. No further details are given, but the seed is small and fiddly to use[K].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Monoecious
Also Known As: C. rostrata utriculata.
Links
References
- ↑ Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Grounds, Roger. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.