Carex leporina aka Oval Sedge

Carex leporina is a perennial sedge in the Cyperaceae family. Its common names include oval sedge and eggbract sedge. The RHS lists Carex ovalis as a synonym. This plant grows wild in Europe, Asia, and western North America. Its western range runs from British Columbia south to California. It is native to Britain and Ireland as well. It has also naturalized in eastern North America and New Zealand. Wild plants grow in seasonally damp meadows, fields, and open places.

The plant forms a dense clump of narrow, green leaves. These grass-like leaves reach about 0.75 feet [0.23 metres] tall. Each leaf measures up to about one-eighth inch across. Upright flower stems rise well above the low leaf clump. They bring the total height to 2.5 feet [0.76 metres]. Mature plants spread to about 1.5 feet [0.46 metres]. The contrast between low leaves and tall stems defines its form. Its flowers are yellow-brown and appear from May to June. They offer little show compared with the plant’s leafy growth. The flower clusters reach about one inch long.

Grow oval sedge in partial shade or full shade. It needs soil that stays moist or wet. Do not let the soil dry out between waterings. During hot summer weather, provide extra water to keep moisture steady. Missouri Botanical Garden lists it for USDA zones 4–8. It describes the plant as easy to grow in suitable soil. Cut the leaves down to ground level in late winter. Remove the cut growth at the same time. Plants can be raised from seed or divided into smaller clumps.

Use groups as ground cover in shaded beds or woodland gardens. The clumps also suit edges beside paths and woodland areas. Damp low spots offer another place to grow this sedge. It can grow beside streams or around pond margins. Rain gardens and areas set aside for naturalizing are further uses. Where conditions suit it, the plant slowly spreads into surrounding areas.

Missouri Botanical Garden reports no serious insect or disease problems. It also lists resistance to deer, wet soil, and erosion. The supplied sources give no information on edible parts or toxicity. They therefore offer no basis for treating this sedge as food.