Why these grass-like plants were essential for survival at the South Pole in 1911

Gardening · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often mistaken for common grass, the genus Carex—or sedges—are actually complex, triangular-stemmed perennials. Beyond their ornamental value in modern gardens, these resilient plants have a long history of human utility, from weaving baskets and mats to providing life-saving thermal insulation for explorers facing the world's harshest climates.

Carex is a vast genus of flowering plants within the Cyperaceae family, comprising between 1,100 and 2,000 species. Established by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, the genus is defined by its triangular culms and a unique bottle-shaped structure called a perigynium that surrounds each female flower. These plants exhibit the most dynamic chromosome evolution of any flowering plant, with numbers ranging from n = 6 to n = 66.

While often found in wetlands, sedges are remarkably versatile, thriving in environments ranging from arctic tundra to shady garden corners. Their utility is as diverse as their habitats. Indigenous peoples, including the Blackfoot, Navajo, and Pomo, have historically utilized various species for everything from food and medicine to basketry and rope-making. The Sámi people traditionally used dried sedge—known as sennegrass—as thermal insulation in footwear. This practice proved vital during the 1911 British expedition to the South Pole, where the material was used in skaller to protect feet from the extreme cold.

In contemporary horticulture, Carex has gained significant popularity, particularly for sustainable landscaping and as drought-tolerant lawn replacements. The Royal Horticultural Society has recognized specific cultivars like 'Evergold' and 'Aurea' with its Award of Garden Merit. Whether used for habitat restoration or as a robust, evergreen garden feature, the genus remains a subject of intense study, known as caricology, as researchers continue to refine the classification of its many subgenera.

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