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Bebbs Sedge
Carex bebbii

This native, cool-season, perennial, grass-like herb forms dense clumps with heights of 24-36". A good species for wetland restorations and other saturated areas, such as stream banks and lake shores. It does exceptionally well in calcareous situations and wet meadows. This bunching herb will stay controlled for landscaping situations, rain gardens and moist pond areas.

USDA symbol: CABE2

General Information

Plant TypeGrass
Height1 foot
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureMedium
Bloom ColorWhite, Green, Brown
Bebbs Sedge (Bebbs Sedge<div><em class="small">Carex bebbii</em></div>)
Photo credit: Metro Blooms (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceHigh
General Resilience7
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceFire Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Low

Bloom MonthsMay to June
Larval Host ofButterflies
Specific Pollinators HostedNumerous butterfly species

Project Planning

Project TypeRain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands