Carex, or sedge, is a very fine and elegant garden plant. But did you know that Carex is a living fossil? Discover why, and explore many other fun facts in this garden plant feature.
Carex: is something missing or is it abrasive?
The simple question “Where does the name Carex come from?” isn’t so simple to answer. It comes from the Latin word Carere. That can mean “to scrape,” which could refer to the sharp leaf edges. But it can also mean “to lack,” which might refer to the flowers. The top spikes of many Carex species don’t produce seeds—they’re missing.
An ancient plant genus
Carex has spread all over the world. With more than 2,000 species, it’s one of the most successful plant genera on Earth. The species have adapted to the most extreme environments, from Arctic tundras to tropical mountains and from marshlands to dry grasslands.
The sedge family emerged about 65–70 million years ago. The first true Carex fossils are about 45–50 million years old. Interestingly, modern Carex species still share many features with their ancient ancestors—evidence of a highly successful evolutionary design.
Fun Fact: New Carex species are still being discovered
Triangular? Absolutely!
The Carex stem is triangular in cross-section. That’s unusual. True grasses have round stems. So here it comes: technically, Carex is not part of the grass family, but belongs to the sedge family (Cyperaceae).
A useful plant
Carex plays an important role in nature. Thanks to its dense root system, it prevents erosion—for example, along riverbanks.
It also provides year-round shelter for various insect species.
Care Tips
Hardy
Low-maintenance
Evergreen*
Great to combine with other plants
Suitable for pots and borders
Improves soil
Elegant texture plants
*C. comans and C. testacea may lose leaves in severe winters.
These two can be cut back, the others should only be tidied.
Remember this:
Carex belongs to the same order (Poales) as grasses (Poaceae), but is not part of the grass family—it belongs to the Cyperaceae.
Carex is an evolutionary success. There are more than 2,000 species found across the globe.
The stem is triangular in cross-section.
Various species have adapted to different conditions—from wetlands to dry sandy soils.
