Posted: December 16th, 2022

Plant Propagation Protocol for Carex canescens
ESRM 412 – Native Plant Production
Protocol URL: https://courses.washington.edu/esrm412/protocols/CACA11.pdf

The plant and Pacific Northwest distribution

TAXONOMY
Plant Family
Scientific Name Cyperaceae
Common Name Sedge Family
Species Scientific Name
Scientific Name
Genus
Species
Species Authority Carex canescens L.
Carex
canescens
Linnaeus.
Varieties Carex canescens var. canescens, Carex canescens var. robustior Blytt ex
Sub-species Carex canescens ssp. canescens, Carex canescens L. ssp. disjuncta (Fernald) Toivonen, Carex lapponica O.F. Lang.
Cultivar
Common Synonym(s) Caricina canescens (L.) St.-Lag.
Vignea canescens (L.) Rchb.

Common Name(s) gray bog sedge
gray sedge
grey sedge
disjunct hoary sedge
silvery sedge
carex disjoint
Species Code (as per USDA Plants database) CACA11
GENERAL INFORMATION
Geographical range California, North America and beyond

Ecological distribution Damp forests, wetlands
Climate and elevation range
Local habitat and abundance Temperate peat swamps and bogs, lowlands basin mires, wet and acid bogs, occasionally in sandy heaths
Plant strategy type / successional stage Low in seeds but can become a stressful weed. Compete with plants such as Alopecurus aequalis and Ranunculus flammula.
Plant characteristics Has active period of growth at summer and spring, regrowth rate is slow after harvest, C:N ratio is medium, rhizomatous growth form, a mature height of 2 feet, has a long lifespan and generally blooms at late spring.
PROPAGATION DETAILS
Ecotype Bogs and wet soils
Propagation Goal Plant
Propagation Method Seed
Product Type Container (Plug)
Stock Type
Time to Grow Plant should be monitored for growth at spring and summer.
Target Specifications 2 to 2 half feet tall
Propagule Collection Instructions Seed should be socked within 24 hours before planting them in a moist soil.
Propagule Processing/Propagule Characteristics Seeds grow in bulk after the late spring blooming period.
Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments The seeds have physiological dormancy. However, presence of moisture during germination would reduce the dormancy. Seeds were cold stratified for 30 days. Seeds germinate at alternating temperatures of 20/10 C in the presence of light.
Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops The area for well growth of grey sedge should be moist with medium acidity condition and lots of organic compounds. Also, just enough sunlight will hasten growth.
Establishment Phase Details After growing mature seeds, growth of viable seeds may be deterred by either sand or shingle instead of pure soil.
Length of Establishment Phase From the time of sowing, mature seeds take about 10 days to start germinating. Germination is generally slow.
Active Growth Phase The growth from germination to maturity is very slow. Active growth phase is between the 10th day and the 2nd month, after which the growth slows down for the maturity of the seeds.
Length of Active Growth Phase 3 months
Hardening Phase
Length of Hardening Phase 1 month
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping Harvesting must occur within the prescribed distance, seeds storage may be in soils. Planned shipping is often within the states.
Length of Storage Between 4 to 16 weeks before out-planting. This is when the lengths are about 10cm or slightly more.
Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites Out plant at when the plant lengths are between 10 to 20 cm.
Other Comments Cold stratification is often required, planting density per acre lie between 1700 to 4800 plants.
INFORMATION SOURCES
References Salley, S. W., Talbot, C. J., & Brown, J. R. (2016). The Natural Resources Conservation Service Land Resource Hierarchy and Ecological Sites. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 80(1), 1-9.
Other Sources Consulted
Protocol Author (First and last name)
Date Protocol Created or Updated (MM/DD/YY)

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