Tall Horned Beaksedge
Rhynchospora macrostachya
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part sun
Water
high
Size
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 21 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Rhynchospora macrostachya is a native sedge that forms neat clumps of slender stems topped with distinctive brownish flower clusters. This wetland plant thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and provides an attractive upright texture in rain gardens and bog plantings. It blooms from June through September with small but interesting seed heads.
In an HOA neighborhood
Tall Horned Beaksedge 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.
- Sedge appearance may be mistaken for weedy grass
- Brown seed heads can look unkempt to conventional gardeners
- Requires consistently wet conditions that may appear problematic
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and beetles during the long summer blooming period. The seeds provide food for wetland birds and small mammals.
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 Tall Horned Beaksedge fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.