Carex grayi #1 (Bur Sedge)

Bur Sedge, also known as Gray’s Sedge or Mace Sedge, is a clumping, medium-sized perennial with interesting seed heads that look like medieval maces. They persist throughout the summer with a bright green color before turning brown in fall, waiting to be shattered by animals, wind, or snow. The 3′ tall arching clumps of medium green leaves multiply around the landscape by seed, in favorable conditions (such as wetlands and woodlands) and by short, creeping rhizomes. It is a good plant for erosion control along streams or in floodplain woodlands. Bur Sedge makes a nice backdrop to low-growing woodland plants and looks right at home around pools or ponds, en masse or as an accent.

Bur Sedge seeds are fed upon by birds such as sparrows, Wild Turkeys, Wood Ducks, and American Woodcocks! It is a larval host for numerous moths and the Appalachian Brown butterfly.

Sources:
Native Ferns, Moss, & Grasses by William Cullina
Missouri Botanical Garden
Illinois Wildflowers
BAMONA
Grow Native! Salt-Tolerant Native Plants