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Carex (brevior)

Greg Houseal
Program Manager
Tallgrass Prairie Center
2412 W 27th St
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0294
319-273-3005
319-268-0068 (fax)
gregory.houseal@uni.edu
www.tallgrassprairiecenter.org

Family Scientific Name: Cyperaceae
Family Common Name: Sedges
Scientific Name: Carex brevior (Dewey) Mackenzie
Common Name: Plains oval sedge
Species Code: CARBRE
Ecotype: Central Iowa
General Distribution: Broadly distributed across the U.S. east of the Rocky Mts to New Enland, south to Texas; excluding the Southeastern U.S.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 2.5x16 cm 'Ray Leach' conetainer, 66 ml vol
Time To Grow: 2 Months
Target Specifications: 'Conteainer-grown' seedling plugs
Propagule Collection: Hand-harvested from native remnant prairies from late June through early July.
Propagule Processing: Perigynia are large (up to 2mm dia.), orbicular, nerveless, biconvex. Hand-screened through 2mm sieve.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Perigynia will germinate fresh, but germination improves after a period of cold, moist stratification (40 F in moist sand for 10 days up to 4 weeks).
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Sow perigynia at 1/8 inch depth (soiless mix amended with 15-9-12; 180 day Osmocote)
Establishment Phase: Medium should be kept moist throughout germination phase, either by bottom watering or overhead mist system. Germination occurs rapidly after stratification as described above.
Length of Establishment Phase: 2 months
Active Growth Phase: Seedling plugs transplanted into weedbarrier late-April, 8 inches on center as a block. Plants grow vigorously during cool spring and fall weather. Fall transplanted seedlings flower and set fruit the following summer.
Hardening Phase: Advisable to hardened-off if transplanted prior to last frost.
Length of Hardening Phase: one week
Length of Storage: Stores well under refrigeration
Other Comments: This information is based on initial collection and increase of this species as foundation seed source for prairie restoration.

Citation:

Houseal, Greg A. 2007. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Carex brevior (Dewey) Mackenzie plants 2.5x16 cm 'Ray Leach' conetainer, 66 ml vol; Tallgrass Prairie Center Cedar Falls, Iowa. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/20). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.