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POINTED BROOM SEDGE

NOMENCLATURE

Other Names:

Scientific Name: Carex scoparia Schkuhr.

 Plant Family: Cyperaceae

GENERAL INFORMATION

Botanical Description: sedge

Stems: erect, slender, triangular in cross-section, rough, between 0.5 and 3 feet tall, growing in tufts, mats or clumps

 Leaves: slender, light green, about 1/8 inch wide and usually much shorter than the stem

 Roots:

Flowers: straw colored or pale brown, occur on ends of stems, appear July - October

 Seeds: Seed heads occur from 4 to 10 and are tightly branched. Each seed is 0.25 inches or less in length, an oval nutlet surrounded by a flat wing with one slightly and one very pointed end.

 Seedling:

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

LIFE CYCLE

Reproduction: perennial

 Propagation: seed, underground stolons

 Dispersal: Both seed and root stock are often introduced with vine cuttings during planting.

DISTRIBUTION

State: Can be found statewide; very common in northern Wisconsin.

 National: Found on open swamps, wet meadows, and on shorelines throughout much of the United States.

 Origin:

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Prefers peat and highly organic soils. Frequently found on wetland meadows, swamps, shorelines and marshes. An aggressive invader of new plantings and low wet spots in established beds.

SCOUTING PROCEDURE/ET

While scouting a cranberry bed for disease and insect pests, identify weed populations as they arise. Note the specie(s) of weed present as well as the population level relative to field area. Example: 5% pointed broom sedge, 20% boneset and joe-pye weed mix.

REFERENCES

Gleason, H. A. 1952. Illustrated Flora of the United States and Adjacent Canada. Vol . 1. Lancaster Press, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. p. 320.

Kummer, L. D., T. G. Dittl, and T. D. Planer. 1993. Wisconsin Cranberry Weeds. Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. p. 30.

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