Carex radiata aka Eastern Star Sedge

Carex radiata is a sedge that lives for years. It belongs to the sedge family, Cyperaceae. Its common names include eastern star sedge and straight-styled wood sedge. It grows wild in central and eastern Canada. It also grows across the central and eastern United States. Its range runs from Newfoundland west to Manitoba. It reaches south to Georgia and Oklahoma. It grows in moist woods, bottomlands, and on ravine slopes. Some sites are wet for just part of the year.

This evergreen sedge forms dense clumps of thin, grass-like leaves. Its green leaves reach about 0.7–1 foot [0.2–0.3 metres] tall. The plant can spread to 2 feet [0.61 metres] wide. It grows upright, but spreading flower stems soften its form. These stems, called culms, have three sides in cross-section. In spring, they reach about 1.7–2.3 feet [0.51–0.71 metres]. The listed mature height reaches 2.5 feet [0.76 metres]. Its leaves add winter interest and cover the ground.

Small green to yellow-green flowers form groups above the leaves. These groups look like stars, hence the name eastern star sedge. The female flower has a straight style, not a curled one. This gives the plant its name straight-styled wood sedge. Missouri Botanical Garden lists bloom time as April to May. Chicago Botanic Garden lists May to June. The two sources thus give different bloom times. Chicago also notes that the plant draws birds.

Grow this sedge in dappled light or medium shade. It can also grow in almost full shade. It prefers rich loam with plenty of organic matter. Keep soil moist to moderately wet while the plant grows. Do not let it dry out. Give it steady extra water in hot summer weather. Chicago Botanic Garden also says it prefers cool conditions. Both garden sources list USDA hardiness zones 4–8.

Plant groups for ground cover in shaded borders or woodland gardens. Clumps can edge paths or fill moist, low ground. Other uses include pond margins, stream edges, and rain gardens. Plants spread by their own seeds where conditions suit them. You can also grow plants from seed or divide established clumps. Cut leaves back near the ground in late winter as needed. Missouri Botanical Garden says the plant needs little care. It reports no serious problems with insects or disease. The supplied sources do not establish food uses or toxicity.