Sedge meadow shorelines are typified by a large expanse of wetland, either gradually sloping to the water, or filled with sedge hummocks. In either case, water levels fluctuate so that the area is usually wet; sedges and grasses dominate the wetland, along with a rich mix of wetland wildflowers. This list contains species appropriate for a sedge meadow shoreline in northern Wisconsin. No trees are included in this list because trees are generally set back, behind the sedge meadow zone.

Some of the plants in this list are linked to the Wisconsin State Herbarium website where you can get detailed information on these plants. Just click on the plant name to be taken to the herbarium site.

Tall Shrubs
Alnus rugosa, Speckled Alder
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry
Nemopanthus mucronatus, Mountain Holly
Salix bebbiana, Bebb's Willow
Salix candida, Hoary Willow
Salix lucida, Shining Willow
Spiraea alba, Meadowsweet
Spiraea tomentosa, Steeplebush

Short Shrubs
Chamaedaphne calyculata, Leatherleaf
Myrica gale, Sweet Gale
Potentilla palustris, Marsh Cinquefoil
Rosa palustris, Swamp Rose

Ground Flora (Flowers, Grasses and Sedges, Ferns)
Ascelpias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed
Aster puniceus, Purple-stemmed Aster
Calamagrostis canadensis, Blue-joint Grass
Calla palustris, Water Arum
Campanula aparinoides, Marsh Bellflower
Carex interior, Inland Sedge
Carex lacustris, Lake Sedge
Carex lasiocarpa, Wire-grass
Carex retrorsa, Deflexed Bottlebrush Sedge
Carex rostrata, Beaked Sedge
Carex stricta, Tussock Sedge
Cicuta bulbifera, Water-hemlock
Dulichium arundinaceum, Three-way Sedge
Eleocharis smallii, Creeping Spike-rush
Equisetum fluviatile, Swamp or Water Horsetail
Eupatorium perfoliatum, Boneset
Eupatorium maculatum, Joe-pye-weed
Galium aparine, Cleavers
Galium tinctorium, Southern Three-lobed Bedstraw
Glyceria canadensis, Rattlesnake Grass
Hypericum boreale, Northern St. John's-wort
Impatiens capensis, Jewelweed
Iris versicolor, Blue Flag
Juncus effusus, Soft Rush
Leersia orysoides, Cut Grass
Lycopus uniflorus, Bugleweed
Lysimachia terrestris, Swamp-candles
Lysimachia thyrsiflora, Tufted Loosestrife
Mentha arvensis, Wild Mint
Mimulus ringens, Monkeyflower
Onoclea sensibilis, Sensitive Fern
Polygonum amphibium, Water Smartweed
Sagittaria latifolia, Arrowhead
Scirpus cyperinus, Wool-grass
Scutellaria galericulata, Marsh Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora, Mad-dog Skullcap
Thalictrum fraseri, Marsh St. John's-wort
Thelypteris palustris, Marsh Fern
Viola species, Violet

This site administered by:
Bill Klase, Basin Educator for Natural Resources
william.klase@ces.uwex.edu

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