Golden Star Sedge, Carex albicans, also called White 5inged Sedge or Oak Sedge, is a rhizomatous perennial sedge that grows in a clump to 15-20 inches tall. It is found in messic to dry upland forests and shaded ledges and less frequently in sandy bottomland forests. Narrow, grass-like, upright-arching, bright green leaf blades grow in either dense tufts or loose colonies of tufts.
The blooming period occurs during late spring, lasting about 1-2 weeks. The florets are cross-pollinated by the wind. Afterwards, the mature perigynia become detached from their spikelets; each perigynium contains a single achene. The achenes are about 1.5 mm. long and a little less across; they are broadly lenticular (lentil-like) in shape and somewhat flattened. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous.
Fruits are trigonous, one-seeded achenes enclosed in sac-like bracts (perigynia). Over 1500 species of Carex grow in a variety of habitats (often moist to wet areas) throughout the world. Identification of individual species can be very difficult.
Habitats include moist sand prairies and meadows, inter-dunal swales, sandy fens, hillside seeps and springs, and shallow beach pools. This sedge can be found in both disturbed and higher quality habitats that are very sandy or rocky.
Easily grown in medium moisture soils in part shade to full shade. Will grow in full sun. This species tolerates dry soil conditions better than most species of sedges. Plants will slowly spread by rhizomes and will self-seed in optimum growing conditions.