Common Name:

General Information

Carex meyeriana is a perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. The rhizome is short, producing a dense clump of grass-like leaves around 20 - 50cm tall[].
The plant is grown in Japan to provide material for making mats[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Asia - Siberia, Russian Far East, Mongolia, northern China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Marshes[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.35 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but the young shoots and tender leaf bases of almost all species in this genus have a sweet flavour[]. They furnish a tasty nibble and make an excellent emergency food in the wild since they are widely available[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An extract of the leavesand stems is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

The leaves are used for making mats[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in the spring in a moist soil in light shade. If seed is in short supply it can be sown in a cold frame and be planted out in the summer. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 15°c[]. Species in this genus, when started from seed tend to stay diminutive for over a year, with plant leaves remaining stunted and fragile for a considerable period of time[].
Division in spring[]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.