Common Name:

General Information

Carex rossii is a densely clump-forming with usually ascending rhizomes, though they are occasionally horizontal and spreading. It produces dense clusters of grass-like leaves around 7 - 30cm tall and 10 - 100cm wide[, ].
The plant was probably used as a source of food by the native N. Americans and is used in restoration and soil sabilization projects.
Carex rossii is very widely distributed, occurring in all the western parts of the USA and Canada and its large extent of occurrence suggests it is not threatened. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western and central N. America - Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territory, south through Oregon, Minnesota and Oregon to California, Arizona & New Mexico

Habitat

Moist or dry, sandy or rocky, open montane pine, fir, and spruce woodlands, sagebrush slopes, deciduous wooded slopes, prairies, alpine meadows; at elevations from 210 - 3,700 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Carex rossii is a very cold-hardy plant and is suited to boreal, temperate, cool, semi-arid, mesothermal and xerophytic climates[]..
Unlike the majority of species in this genus, Carex rossii is a plant of exposed, sunny sites with soil drought for part of the year[].
This species is described as a strong competitor which thrives on hostile and disturbed sites and is a dominant understorey species in many communities where it occurs. It is drought, trampling, browsing, and even oil spills tolerant and is very hard to remove from places where it grows[].
The plant is very fire tolerant, the roots survives most fires and the plant soon returns to pre-burn levels[].
The seed can remain viable for long periods of time in the soil[].

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

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is an aggressive pioneer of hostile sites and remains dominant for several years following disturbance. It is rare in climax communities, however, usually being shaded out by the taller plants in the developing community[].
The plant is used for landscape restoration of disturbed sites and is also planted along roadsides in order to stabilize the banks[, ].
It is a very poor companion for young trees since its dense mat of roots, concentrated in the top 5cm of soil, can compete severely with tree seedlings for moisture[].

Other Uses

The leaves of most species in this genus can be used to make a soft, insulated bedding for sleeping on when camping etc[].

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.