Sand dune sedge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carex pansa |
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C. pansa
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| Carex pansa L.H.Bailey
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Carex arenicola |
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Carex pansa is a type of plant called a sedge. People often call it the sand dune sedge because it loves to grow in sandy places. You can find this plant along the coast of western North America. It grows from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to California in the United States.
About Sand Dune Sedge
The sand dune sedge is a plant that looks a lot like grass. It grows well in dunes and other areas with sandy soil. This plant was first described in 1888 by a scientist named Liberty Hyde Bailey.
What It Looks Like
This sedge has stems that are shaped like sharp triangles. These stems can grow up to about 40 centimeters tall. That's about the length of a standard ruler and a half!
The plant grows from a network of thin, long roots called rhizomes. These rhizomes help the plant spread out underground. The flowers of the sand dune sedge grow in clusters. These clusters are made of several spikes of dark brownish flowers.
How It Reproduces
The sand dune sedge is often a dioecious plant. This means that individual plants have either male flowers or female flowers, but not both. So, one plant will produce only male flowers, and another plant will produce only female flowers. This is how the plant makes seeds to grow new plants.
Uses of the Plant
Sometimes, the sand dune sedge is used in landscaping. People might plant it in their gardens or yards. It can be a good substitute for grass, especially in areas where sandy soil is common.
