James' Sedge - Carex jamesii

Features: This low, dense, clumping and spreading Illinois native sedge is partial to wooded and semi-wooded areas and can tolerate a wide range of soils, so it could be ideal for parkway planting or happy near a garden water feature.

The light-green flower-bearing stems (culms) are nestled at the center of the somewhat longer leaf blades. Leaves are a food source for caterpillars of both the Appalachian Brown butterfly and the Eyed Brown butterfly, leaf beetles and sedge grasshoppers. Many species of birds enjoy the seeds. Spread is via both seed and rhizome. Deer resistant.

Light: Partial sun to medium shade

Soil: Medium wet to medium dry. Favors mesic, loamy soil

Height: up to 1 foot

Blooms: May – June

See more information and photos at: Illinois Wildflowers and USDA Plants Database

Photo from Illinois Wildflowers