Skip to main content

Hairy Umbrella-sedge

Fuirena squarrosa

Last reviewed: June 2026

Hairy Umbrella-sedge (Fuirena squarrosa)
Photo: Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

6"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 16 more states

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Oklahoma/Texas PlainsEdwards PlateauEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central Plains

Hairy umbrella-sedge is a native wetland perennial that forms small clumps of narrow, grass-like foliage. It produces clusters of small brown flower heads on slender stems during summer and fall, thriving in consistently moist to wet soils.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hairy Umbrella-sedge takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Grass-like appearance may look weedy to untrained eyes
  • Brown seed heads can appear messy
  • Requires consistently wet conditions uncommon in typical landscaping

Wildlife value

This sedge provides seeds for waterfowl and wetland birds, while its dense growth offers nesting habitat for small birds and shelter for amphibians.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Does Hairy Umbrella-sedge fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.

See it in the app

iPhone appAndroid app