Illinois Native Plant Guide

Awl-fruited Sedge (Common Fox Sedge)
Carex stipata

Preferred Water Depth and Inundation Tolerance

Prefers moist soil. Tolerates inundation to a depth of 6 inches. Species tolerates some water level fluctuation.

Wildlife Value

Provides food for sora and yellow rails, swamp and tree sparrows, snipe and other songbirds.

Application/Zone

Used in upper shoreline zones and vegetated swales.

Availability, Establishment, and Maintenance

• Spreads well from seeds.
• Store seed dry (14% moisture) cold, overwinter, and sow the following spring.
• Fall seed with fresh seed.
• Because this is a clump-forming species and has a slow rate of spread by rhizomes, plugs should be planted on 0.5-1.5 foot centers.

Awl-fruited Sedge (Common Fox Sedge)
Carex stipata

Mature Height
Up to 3 feet

Plant Type
Perennial sedge

Indicator Status
Obligate

pH
Not available

Nutrient Load Tolerance
High

Salt Tolerance
Low to moderate

Siltation Tolerance
Moderate

Flowering Color and Time
Green
May to June

Light Preference
Partial to full sun

Seeding Rate
.125 lbs/acre

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