About Carex barrattii Torr. ex Schwein.
Carex barrattii is a species of sedge commonly called Barratt's sedge. This species is endemic to the United States. On the Atlantic Coastal Plain, it occurs from Connecticut south to Georgia and Alabama, and it is also found in the southern Appalachians. Stems of this sedge grow between 20 and 90 centimeters tall. Its leaves are pale blue-green and a few millimeters wide. The plant produces dark purple flower spikes, but it flowers only rarely. It reproduces vegetatively via rhizomes. This plant grows in pine barrens, as well as on wet streambanks and in savannas. It is not uncommon in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, where most of its known populations are located. It most often grows in open, sunny areas on acidic soils. It does not tolerate shade. It requires disturbance such as wildfire, and occurs in fire-dependent habitats like pine barrens. Associated plant species include Acer rubrum, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Clethra alnifolia, Sphagnum sp., Spiraea tomentosa, Vaccinium corymbosum, Carex stricta, Carex vesicaria, and Scirpus cyperinus.
