Carex (macrocephala)
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Asa Skinner Native Plant Specialist 613 Commercial Street Garibaldi, Oregon 97118 804-815-5167 asa@tbnep.org |
| Family Scientific Name: | Cyperaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | sedge | ||
| Scientific Name: | Carex macrocephala Willd. ex Spreng | ||
| Common Name: | big-head sedge; largehead sedge | ||
| Species Code: | CAMA10 | ||
| Ecotype: | Coastal sand dunes (Flora of Oregon). | ||
| General Distribution: |
From sea level to 50m. Est. WA; to AK; NJ; Asia (Flora of Oregon) Often found on the lee side of the fore-dunes (IE behind a jetty, along a slough, or in a shallow depression. Associated species are Tannacetum bipinnatum, Solidago spathulata, and Leymus mollis. |
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| Propagation Goal: | Plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 10 cu in cone-tainer (Stuewe & Sons SC10) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 7 months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Densely rooted plug | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Seed is collected by clipping entire seed heads off in the field once they have become completely dry and brown, which is September in North Oregon. Dispersal can be fast, so plant populations need to be continually monitored in the late summer to ensure the collection window is not missed. Gloves are recommended as the perigynia are large and sharp. Note that this species produces male and female flowers on separate heads. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | Seed is separated from stems by rubbing through a 1/2" screen. Perigynia are then thoroughly scarified by running through a food processor with plastic blades for several minutes. These seeds are incredibly tough and can withstand significant force. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Seeds sown in the late fall and early spring germinate at approximately the same rate. Like other Carex species, seeds are likely non-dormant or conditionally dormant, but require light to germinate (Baskin & Baskin, 2014). | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Cone-tainers are filled with sowing soil (60% coarse peat moss, 10% coarse perlite, 30% vermiculite, and osmocote fertilizer) and racks are placed in a 4" wetland bed. Beds are filled with water until the bottom of each container is submerged. Seeds are then sown directly on the surface of each tube (3-5 seeds/tube) and left on the surface to be exposed to light and overhead irrigation. Racks are covered with 50% shade cloth to deter birds and retain moisture and left outside. | ||
| Establishment Phase: | Seeds germinate over a period of several months. Seeds sown in February will lay dormant until May and then germinate through the end of July. | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 3-4 months | ||
| Active Growth Phase: |
Vigorous seedlings. Plants that germinate in July will be ready for out-planting in early October. Seedlings can be mowed with a weedwhacker to reduce over-crowding. Cut leaf blades should be removed with a blower or rake to keep them from forming thatch. |
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| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 2-3 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | Plants can be moved directly from outdoor wetland beds to planting sites in October. If kept in a greenhouse, two weeks of ambient weather before out planting is needed. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 2 weeks | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | NA | ||
| Length of Storage: | NA | ||
| Outplanting performance on typical sites: | May not perform well with competition. Remove invasives and use a dibble to prepare for planting in a sandy/dune site. | ||
| References: |
Baskin, Carol, and Jerry Baskin. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination (2nd Edition). 79-117. Elsevier Science, 2014, Accessed 2025. Wilson, Barbara, Richard Brainerd, and Nick Otting. Flora of Oregon, Vol 1, pg 213. Oregonflora.org/taxa/index.php?taxon=3729. Accessed 2025. |
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Citation:
Skinner, Asa M A. 2025. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Carex macrocephala Willd. ex Spreng Plants 10 cu in cone-tainer (Stuewe & Sons SC10); Garibaldi, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
