Carex

Carex, a very large and widely distributed genus of Cyperaceæ (q.v.), commonly known as Sedges, including about 1000 species, which are distributed chiefly throughout temperate and arctic climates, nearly 60 being natives of Britain. There are nearly 200 species found in the United States, east of the Mississippi. Though some grow in dry situations, the majority inhabit wet and swampy soils, of which they often form almost the sole vegetation. They are of no value as fodder, and in general occur only in very inferior pastures, from which drainage generally causes them to disappear. They are sometimes of use in converting swamps into dry ground; and their creeping rhizomes are often of service in binding the sands of the sea-shore, C. arenaria being carefully planted along the shores and dikes of Holland. The rhizomes of this and other species are sometimes used medicinally under the name of German Sarsaparilla, but are little esteemed. The leaves of other species are used for packing, and those of C. brizoides are a source of the 'seagrass' of upholsterers, which is used as a cheap substitute for horse-hair. Some of the larger growing species are sufficiently conspicuous and graceful to be worth employment in appropriate situations by landscape-gardeners, and a variegated variety of C. japonica is cultivated by the florist.