RNGR.net is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Regional Extension Forestry and is a colloborative effort between these two agencies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Extension Forestry Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Carex (athrostachya)

Mark E. Majerus
USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center
99 South River Road, Rte. 2, Box 1189
Bridger, Montana 59014-9718
(406) 662-3579
(406) 662-3428 (fax)
mmajerus@mt.nrcs.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mtpmc
Family Scientific Name: Cyperaceae
Family Common Name: Sedge Family
Scientific Name: Carex athrostachya Olney
Common Name: Slenderbeak sedge
Species Code: CARATH
Ecotype: Glacier National Park; Camas area
Propagation Goal: seeds
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Stock Type: Seeds
Time To Grow: 1 Years
Propagule Collection: In a cultivated seed production situation, seedheads can be either hand harvested or mechanically harvested with a swather. When harvested with a swather, it is necessary to hand harvest lateral seed heads afterwards.
Propagule Processing: Harvested seed heads are spread on a tarp in a warm dry location to ripen. The majority of the filled, ripe seed will shatter or easily shake out of the seed head. Although processing of intact seed in a hammermill does not result in significant increases of clean seed or improved germination percentages, the additional effort may be warranted for intensively managed production such as this. Finish cleaning seed over a fanning mill with moderate wind to separate light seed and chaff.
Pre-Planting Treatments: It is assumed that cold moist chilling of 60 to 90 days is adequate for fresh seed.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Rototill the planting site prior to container planting. Several methods can be used to plant the seedlings including digging a shallow trench, digging individual holes, or drilling individual holes. Space the rows 3-feet apart and plant the seedlings 1-foot apart within the row. Irrigate the planting thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: About 500, 1-0 plants yielded 5 g of seed at the end of the first field season, 1.271 kg the second year, and 0.674 kg the third year. No experience with artificial storage, although it is assumed that this species will store and ship well under proper conditions.
Other Comments: : Easy to grow from seed, one of the better Carex we've worked with for seed production based on plant stature, habit, ease of propagation, and seed production.

Citation:

Scianna, Joe. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Carex athrostachya Olney seeds Seeds; USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. 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.