Cloud Sedge
/
(Carex haydeniana)
Cloud Sedge (Carex haydeniana)
/
Chloe and Trevor Van Loon
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Chloe and Trevor Van Loon
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Chloe and Trevor Van Loon | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Chloe and Trevor Van Loon | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-08-01T10:19:10-07:00 |
Summary
Carex haydeniana, commonly known as Cloud Sedge, is a perennial herb native to moist meadows, wetlands, and streambanks in subalpine and alpine regions of western North America, from British Columbia and Alberta south to California and New Mexico. It forms dense tufts of narrow, grass-like leaves and drooping stems that can reach up to 16 inches in length. The inflorescence is a compact, dark brown, spherical cluster of spikelets that appear from late spring to midsummer, though they are not particularly showy. This sedge is well adapted to the cool, moist conditions of its high elevation habitats.
Cloud Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in restoration projects and naturalized plantings to stabilize soil and support local ecosystems. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring consistently moist soil and partial to full shade. While it is not commonly used in ornamental horticulture, it can be an attractive addition to water gardens or riparian plantings. Carex haydeniana is generally disease-resistant but can be susceptible to root rot if drainage is poor. CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloud Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in restoration projects and naturalized plantings to stabilize soil and support local ecosystems. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring consistently moist soil and partial to full shade. While it is not commonly used in ornamental horticulture, it can be an attractive addition to water gardens or riparian plantings. Carex haydeniana is generally disease-resistant but can be susceptible to root rot if drainage is poor. CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1-1.5 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Moist meadows, wetlands, and streambanks in subalpine and alpine regions
Other Names
Common Names: Cloud Sedge, Hayden’s Sedge
Scientific Names: Carex haydeniana, Carex festiva var. decumbens, Carex festiva var. haydeniana, Carex macloviana subsp. haydeniana, Carex macloviana var. haydeniana, Carex macloviana var. haydeniana, Carex macloviana var. haydeniana, Carex nubicola
GBIF Accepted Name: Carex haydeniana