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 (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 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.