Grass, rush or sedge?

Posted by Georgene A. Bramlage Jul 24, 2006

It is important for gardeners, landscape designers and landscape contractors to know differences among the three. Their identities are often a clue to where we should plant them. Examples with photos of these versatile landscape plants are at the Proven Winners Plants web site.

Sedges have edges,

What have YOU found?

This is the limerick the folks at The Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History, SC recite to remind visitors of a primary difference among the three. Habitats along with flower and fruit appearance are other differences.

Grasses possess flat stems and leaves. However, near the crown or base of grasses, the flat leaves start to curl around each other. Therefore, the stems may appear slightly rounded.

Rush stems are clearly cylindrical or round. They look a little like soda straws when cut from the plant!

Sedges exhibit triangular stems. If you hold one in your hand and slowly turn it around, you will notice three prominent edges and a triangular shape.

The Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History, SC folks exhibit excellent photos at their web site showing stem cross-sections, flowers and fruit of these three.

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Text by Georgene A. Bramlage, July 24, 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.