Sedges are not sweet grasses, but so-called sour grasses. As a layperson, it is extremely difficult, if not almost impossible, to identify them precisely given the number of species is around 2,000. With these tips you can find out which sedges your finds are!
How to identify sedge species?
To identify sedges, look for characteristics such as triangular culms, sharp-edged foliage, the presence of ligules, and narrow leaves. Examine the inflorescences and use a sedge identification key from the Internet for accurate identification.
A closer look at the foliage
Anyone who has an eye for sedges will easily recognize them. There are some characteristics that all types of sedge have in common and that can be easily recognized even by a layperson.
Here they are:
- triangular stalks
- sharp-edged foliage
- Ligule is present
- flat, V-shaped or M-shaped leaf blade in cross section
- extremely narrow leaves
- often well-defined midrib
- Leaves usually emerge from the base and stems
- smooth, matt to shiny, often green to grey-green leaf surface
Flowers and fruit clusters as an identifying feature
If you are sure it is a sedge, look at the flowers! Sedges are easiest to identify when they are in bloom. The following species are one-year-old and are the most common of the one-year specimens, although rare in this country:
- Dull sedge: arctic zones
- Rock sedge: Alpine regions
- Head sedge: Central Europe to Northern Europe and North America
There are also sedges of the same age, which have numerous representatives. These include, among others, the fox sedge, creeping sedge, panicle sedge, delicate sedge and prickly sedge. When flowering, the stalks have several spikes that are designed in the same way.
The well-known morning star sedge is one of the different-year sedges. The popular golden sedge, palm frond sedge, forest sedge, mountain sedge, hanging sedge and bank sedge are also included. Their ears are designed differently - some are longer, others shorter or thicker,
Still unsure? Here are the characteristics of the most famous sedge species
These sedges are the most commonly planted by gardeners, require little care and tolerate pruning:
- Fox red sedge: brown, up to 70 cm high, clumpy
- Morning star sedge: green, up to 75 cm high, spikes like morning stars
- Mountain sedge: bright yellow in autumn, up to 20 cm high
- Palm frond sedge: palm-like growth
Tip
You can be on the safe side if you use an identification key for sedges, for example from the Internet!
