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Shaved Sedge

Carex tonsa

Last reviewed: October 2026

Shaved Sedge (Carex tonsa)
Photo: (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Shaved Sedge (Carex tonsa) 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 shade

Water

medium

Size

6"–12" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CT, GA, IL, IN and 18 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

PiedmontWestern 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 PlateauMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Carex tonsa is a small native sedge that forms neat, compact clumps of fine-textured foliage. This low-growing perennial produces delicate flower spikes in late spring through summer and works well as a groundcover or accent plant in partially shaded areas.

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In an HOA neighborhood

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

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

Wildlife value

This sedge provides seeds for birds and small mammals. The dense foliage offers shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Shaved Sedge need?
Shaved Sedge grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Shaved Sedge bloom?
Shaved Sedge blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Shaved Sedge native?
Shaved Sedge (Carex tonsa) is native to CT, GA, IL, IN and 18 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Shaved Sedge HOA-friendly?
Shaved Sedge is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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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