Carex athrostachya, commonly known as Slenderbeak Sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to a variety of moist habitats across western North America, including Alaska, central Canada, the western contiguous United States, and Baja California. It is typically found in wetlands, riparian zones, moist meadows, and along streambanks, where it contributes to soil stabilization and water filtration. Slenderbeak Sedge can grow up to 31 inches tall and is characterized by its narrow, grass-like leaves and a distinctive inflorescence consisting of a dense green to brown cluster that appears in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they do provide ecological value for native pollinators and wildlife.

In cultivation, Slenderbeak Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it suitable for rain gardens, water features, and naturalized areas that experience seasonal flooding. It prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil types, provided they are consistently moist. This sedge is low maintenance and can be used to create a textured ground cover or as part of a native plant garden. While generally disease-free, it can spread via rhizomes and may require management to keep it within bounds.CC BY-SA 4.0