Nebraska Sedge (Carex nebraskensis Dewey): Observations on Shoot Life History and Management

Abstract

Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis Dewey), a valuable and distinct species, can withstand a high degree of defoliation by livestock without being seriously damaged. To understand this species better and learn how it can withstand defoliation, shoot life history is being studied on a site in the Sierra National Forest, California. Initial results of the study (overwinter 1979-1980 and the 1980 growing season) indicate that (1) Nebraska sedge shoots live for more than one year; (2) a high proportion of vegetative shoots overwinter; (3) overwintering shoots have cores of live leaf tissue which can develop rapidly in spring; and (4) about half of the shoots surviving winter become reproductive and die. In addition, Nebraska sedge is now recognized as a culmless species. That helps account for its withstanding defoliation. Reproduction appears to be mainly vegetative, and a management goal of producing an abundance of healthy rhizomes is suggested.