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Rigid Sedge

Carex tetanica

Last reviewed: October 2026

Rigid Sedge (Carex tetanica)
Photo: (c) Summit Metro Parks, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Rigid Sedge (Carex tetanica) 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.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CT, IA, IL, IN and 17 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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsNorthwestern Great PlainsGreat PlainsNorthern Glaciated PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern ForestsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauNorthern PiedmontRidge and ValleyEastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Rigid sedge is a native grass-like perennial that forms neat, upright clumps of narrow green leaves. It produces small, inconspicuous flower spikes in late spring and early summer, then goes dormant in winter.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Rigid Sedge is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

  • Goes dormant and browns in winter
  • May look sparse when young

Wildlife value

This sedge provides seeds for birds and small mammals. The dense clumps offer nesting material and shelter for ground-dwelling wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Rigid Sedge need?
Rigid Sedge grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Rigid Sedge bloom?
Rigid Sedge blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Rigid Sedge native?
Rigid Sedge (Carex tetanica) is native to CT, IA, IL, IN and 17 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Rigid Sedge HOA-friendly?
Rigid Sedge is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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