397B-4-Carex-appressa-fem-male-fl-Peter-Kinchington_1.jpg

Carex appressa

Tall Sedge

Densely tufted sedge spreading from short underground stems. Flowering stems erect, rough, sharply 3-angled, from 0.4-1.2m high, shorter than or the same as leaves; leafy bract below spikes very short.

Additional information

  • FamilyCyperaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size0.5-1.2 m x 0.5-1 m
  • Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
  • LeavesBright green leaves 2-12 mm wide. Sheath grey-brown, sheath appendage rounded to square.
  • Flower colourYellow-brown
  • Flowering timeAugust to January
  • FlowersFlowerhead narrow, erect 4-45 cm long; many short stalkless spikes, 1 per node; male flowers above female in all spikes. Fruit egg-shaped, thick flat base, veined, long hairs on edges, tip notched.
  • Bird attractingHabitat - nesting and/or safety
  • Butterfly attractingBoth food for caterpillars and nectar for butterflies.
  • Frog habitatYes
  • Growing conditionsWet soils beside or along margins of water areas. Will tolerate some drying out. Frost tolerant. Full sun, semi shade.
  • Garden useMoist to wet areas in the garden. Commonly used in trapping silt and impurities in streams and for stabilising creek banks.
  • Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
  • Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
  • Aboriginal Use Leaves - basket making
Photographer/s: 1, 3, 4, 6 Peter Kinchington ©; 2, 5 Marilyn Bull ©

Plant Communities

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  • 08 Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest – Dandenongs (EVC 29)
  • 05 Mountain Ash Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 30)
  • 02 Shining Gum Montane Wet Forest (EVC 39)
  • 30 Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 39 Sedge Wetland Complex (EVC 136)
  • 12 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 18)
  • 09 Myrtle Beech Cool Temperate rainforest (EVC31)
  • 11 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 18)
  • 13 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Upper Yarra (EVC 18)
  • 34 Manna Gum Floodplain Riparian Woodland (EVC 56)
  • 22 Silver-leaf Stringybark Heathy Woodland (EVC 48)
  • 15 Scented Paperbark Riparian Thicket - Middle & Upper Yarra (EVC 59)
  • 19 Long-leaf Box Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 10 Southern Sassafras Cool Temperate rainforest (EVC 31)
  • 18 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 45)
  • 01 Alpine Ash Montane Damp Forest (EVC 38)
  • 35 Floodplain Wetland Complex (EVC 172)
  • 06 Mountain Ash Wet Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 30)
  • 07 Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 29)
  • 45 Lemon Bottlebrush Rocky Outcrop Shrubland (EVC 28)
  • 41 Swamp Paperbark Riparian Thicket (EVC 59)
  • 44 Grassy Wetland Complex (EVC 125)
  • 33 Mountain Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 37 Yarra Gum Grassy Woodland (EVC 175)
  • 43 Buxton Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 38 Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest – Middle Yarra (EVC 47)
  • 36 Scented Paperbark Riparian Thicket – Central Highlands (EVC 59)
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