Ravensfoot Sedge
Carex crus-corvi
Last reviewed: September 2026
Carex crus-corvi, known as Ravensfoot sedge, is a clumping wetland grass that blooms from March through August and grows best in full sun with medium to wet soil.
Toxicity unknown
Ravensfoot Sedge (Carex crus-corvi) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Ravensfoot Sedge as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–36" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 19 more states
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Ravensfoot Sedge is a native Texas grass that forms upright clumps with narrow, arching leaves. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers from spring through late summer and goes dormant in winter.
Growing Ravensfoot Sedge
Grow Ravensfoot Sedge in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Ravensfoot Sedge is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, mid zone.
- Cut back in late winter
Wildlife value
This sedge provides habitat and nesting material for birds, while its seeds feed various songbirds and small wildlife.
Common questions
- When does Ravensfoot sedge bloom?
- Ravensfoot sedge produces its flowering spikes from March through August, with peak flowering usually occurring in spring and early summer.
- How much sun does Carex crus-corvi need?
- Carex crus-corvi does best in full sun but can also grow in part sun or part shade, particularly where soil stays consistently moist.
- What kind of soil moisture does this sedge prefer?
- This species is typically found in bottomland forests and floodplain areas with medium to wet soil, and it tolerates periods of standing water.
- Does Carex crus-corvi attract specific pollinators?
- No specific pollinator associations have been documented for this sedge. Like most Carex species, it relies on wind for pollination rather than insect visitors.
- Is Ravensfoot sedge a good choice for wet garden spots?
- Yes, its tolerance for medium to wet, poorly drained soil makes it well suited to rain gardens, pond edges, and low areas that stay damp for part of the year.
- Is Ravensfoot Sedge toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Ravensfoot Sedge as toxic to livestock.
- Is Ravensfoot Sedge HOA-friendly?
- Ravensfoot Sedge is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Ravensfoot Sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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