How to identify Buchanan's sedge (Carex buchananii)

How to identify Buchanan's sedge (Carex buchananii)

Buchanan's sedge, also known as Silver-spiked sedge

Buchanan's sedge features a distinctive reddish-brown hue and fine textured leaves which gracefully curl at their tips. This sedge grows as an upright, airy clump, usually reaching 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) in height and width. The leaves possess sharp edges, typical of the genus, and form an arching shape. Although evergreen, buchanan's sedge does not thrive when submerged in water and prefers to have consistently moist soil conditions. It exhibits a striking coloration that sets it apart in garden settings and can withstand temperatures down to less than 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius).

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Buchanan's sedge

Upright, airy clump reaching 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in height and width.

Leaves with sharp edges and arching shape, curling at tips with copper-red coloration.

Triangular stem, smooth and rigid, up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall, exhibiting reddish-brown coloring.

Insignificant brown flowers in spikelets, 0.1 inches (2-3 mm) in diameter.

Distinctive copper-red to bronze narrow leaves, 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) long and less than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) wide.

Detailed Traits of Buchanan's sedge

Leaf Features

The leaves of buchanan's sedge are narrow and fine, with a width of less than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) and a length between 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm). They exhibit a striking copper to red to bronze coloration, creating an eye-catching appearance. The tips of the leaves naturally curl, adding texture and visual interest. The surface of the leaves is smooth, and they lack prominent vein patterns. These unique features make them easily identifiable.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Buchanan's sedge exhibits small, insignificant flowers that are typically brown and inconspicuous, blending harmoniously with the foliage. The flowers are arranged in spikelets and lack notable petals, instead showcasing tiny scales. Each flower measures around 0.1 inches (2-3 mm) in diameter. These flowers do not emit a noticeable scent. The blooming period extends from late spring to early summer. Despite their modest appearance, these flowers contribute to the overall texture and structure of the plant.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of buchanan's sedge is triangular in cross-section, characteristic of the species. It is smooth, rigid, and upright, typically reaching up to 2 feet (60 cm) in height. The stem is slender, measuring around 0.1 inch (2-3 mm) in diameter, and exhibits a reddish-brown to copper color, particularly at the base. The stem's structure is unbranched and supports the plant’s vertical growth, aiding in its distinct appearance among sedges.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Buchanan's sedge and Their Similar Plants

Striped weeping sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

With multiple cultivars, including at least one that has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, striped weeping sedge is popular in temperate gardens. Its leaves are slightly iridescent, creating a shimmering effect as the wind moves its leaves.

Morrow's sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

The morrow's sedge is an attractive grass that provides an accent to woodland or rock gardens. The leaves are richer in color when the plant is under the shade of medium-sized shrubs and trees. Its scientific name is Carex morrowii and its common name is a tribute to Dr. James Morrow who collected the plant in Japan in 1853-1854.

Wood sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

Wood sedge is a popular ornamental, often used as ground cover in gardens. This evergreen perennial is appreciated because it requires little maintenance. It is thought that the Sámi people of Lapland and neighoring regions once used wood sedge as insulation in their homes.

Berkeley sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

Berkeley sedge (Carex tumulicola) is a drought tolerant ornamental grass. It spreads slowly through rhizomes and can grow to about 30 cm tall. This species grows well in shade and is often planted for ground cover.

Pennsylvania sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) is a perennial plant that makes a great ground cover and requires very little maintenance. It blooms in spring with greenish flowers with purple margins. Thrives in partial shade to full shade in dry to moist soil. It provides nesting material for birds and is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers locations with cool summer nights.

Grassland sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

Grassland sedge is an evergreen ornamental grass that is liked by gardeners for its drooping foliage. Grassland sedge has a clump-forming nature and flowers during the summer. It is used in cottage gardens and for ground cover. It is naturally found in disturbed lands such as roadsides.

Glaucous sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

Glaucous sedge grows in many habitats, including disturbed and abandoned areas, grasslands, and moorlands. The blue-pointed ornamental grass is a popular ornamental plant, sold in abundance at garden centers and frequently used as a groundcover in beds, borders, and a range of gardens.

Gray's Sedge vs. Buchanan's sedge: What's The Difference?

The genus name of gray's Sedge (Carex grayi) means “cutter” in Latin because the leaves and edges of the stems are so sharp they could cut you. The specific epithet celebrates Asa Gray, who wrote “Gray’s Manual of Botany.” It’s a species that’s indigenous to North America.

Identify Buchanan's sedge easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Buchanan's sedge

Attributes of Buchanan's sedge

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

30 cm to 61 cm

Spread

30 cm to 60 cm

Leaf Color

Brown

Red

Orange

Flower Color

Brown

Green

Stem Color

Brown

Orange

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Buchanan's sedge

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Monocotyledons

Order

Grasses, sedges and allies

Family

Sedge

Genus

True sedges

Species

Buchanan's sedge (Carex buchananii)

Learn More About the Buchanan's sedge

Distribution Map of Buchanan's sedge

Buchanan's sedge is indigenous to the islands of Oceania. On top of its native habitat, buchanan's sedge has been introduced to regions in the western Eurasian temperate zones, where it is now naturalized. This species is also widely cultivated beyond its primal range for ornamental purposes.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Buchanan's sedge

A Comprehensive Guide to Buchanan's sedge How to Grow and Care for Buchanan's sedge