White Bear Sedge is a wide-leaved sedge like plantain leaf sedge (Carex plantaginea), but instead of red bases of the leaves, white bear sedge has white/brown bases. It belongs to a group of sedges called Laxiflorae. Sedges are divided into groups that share similar characteristics to help ease identification since there are so many species. In Laxiflorae, the pistillate spikes (those with seeds) are surrounded by a leaf-like bract (acts as a sheath). See photos.
Michigan Flora states that this is the widest-leaved sedge in Michigan at approximately 1.25” across, so we have a champion sedge here!
This sedge prefers soil with some organic material, and some moisture, but can handle some dryness. I originally planted this sedge in an area of my yard that is drier than I realized at the time. White bear sedge has survived there and even spread by seed a little bit.
White Bear sedge is sem-evergreen with the top parts of the leaves turning brown in the winter and the center of the plant staying green.
According to Illinois Wildflowers, there is a moth called Clemen’s Cosmoptrix Moth (what a name!) that uses this specific sedge as a host plant.
White Bear Sedge (Carex albursina)
Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: White Bear Sedge
Height: 6-15”
Soil: loose soil, moist to somewhat dry
Sun: shade or dappled light
Plant spacing: 12-18”
Life cycle: perennial
Family: Cyperaceae
Seed source: Michigan
Sizes:
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White Bear Sedge is a wide-leaved sedge like plantain leaf sedge (Carex plantaginea), but instead of red bases of the leaves, white bear sedge has white/brown bases. It belongs to a group of sedges called Laxiflorae. Sedges are divided into groups that share similar characteristics to help ease identification since there are so many species. In Laxiflorae, the pistillate spikes (those with seeds) are surrounded by a leaf-like bract (acts as a sheath). See photos.
Michigan Flora states that this is the widest-leaved sedge in Michigan at approximately 1.25” across, so we have a champion sedge here!
This sedge prefers soil with some organic material, and some moisture, but can handle some dryness. I originally planted this sedge in an area of my yard that is drier than I realized at the time. White bear sedge has survived there and even spread by seed a little bit.
White Bear sedge is sem-evergreen with the top parts of the leaves turning brown in the winter and the center of the plant staying green.
According to Illinois Wildflowers, there is a moth called Clemen’s Cosmoptrix Moth (what a name!) that uses this specific sedge as a host plant.
White Bear Sedge (Carex albursina)
Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: White Bear Sedge
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