Common Cattail Sedge (Carex typhina)
Common Cattail Sedge is an attractive sedge that is a host plant to 11 species of butterflies and moths in our area (Illinoiswildflowers.info), including the critically impaired Macoun’s artic (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Many wetland birds feed on the seeds or spikelets, including ducks, rails, sandpipers, and quite a few more (illinoiswildflower.info). This sedge prefers wetter areas and would be great for shadier rain gardens. Common Cattail Sedge is considered critically imperiled in Michigan, so while you may not be preserving the plant that was once here, you are creating habitat for all of the species that may need it for survival (mnfi.anr.msu.edu).
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
Common Cattail Sedge is an attractive sedge that is a host plant to 11 species of butterflies and moths in our area (Illinoiswildflowers.info), including the critically impaired Macoun’s artic (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Many wetland birds feed on the seeds or spikelets, including ducks, rails, sandpipers, and quite a few more (illinoiswildflower.info). This sedge prefers wetter areas and would be great for shadier rain gardens. Common Cattail Sedge is considered critically imperiled in Michigan, so while you may not be preserving the plant that was once here, you are creating habitat for all of the species that may need it for survival (mnfi.anr.msu.edu).
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
Common Cattail Sedge is an attractive sedge that is a host plant to 11 species of butterflies and moths in our area (Illinoiswildflowers.info), including the critically impaired Macoun’s artic (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Many wetland birds feed on the seeds or spikelets, including ducks, rails, sandpipers, and quite a few more (illinoiswildflower.info). This sedge prefers wetter areas and would be great for shadier rain gardens. Common Cattail Sedge is considered critically imperiled in Michigan, so while you may not be preserving the plant that was once here, you are creating habitat for all of the species that may need it for survival (mnfi.anr.msu.edu).
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Partial- Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet-Medium/wet
Height: 12 inches
Plant Spacing:
Bloom Time: June-August
Bloom Color: Greenish
Advantages: Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant, Great Landscaping plant
Host: 11 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (Illinoiswildflowers.info)
Species of concern: State Status: Threatened (legally protected), State Rank: Critically imperiled (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)
Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Macoun's arctic (Oeneis macounii) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)
