Sand-Bracted Sedge  Scientific Name: Carex muehlenbergii
Growth Habit: Forms dense tufts from short rhizomes, growing 8-36 inches tall.
A clump-forming, perennial sedge (related to grasses but with triangular stems) that thrives in dry, sandy soils, forming tufts 1-3 feet tall with fine, light-green, grass-like leaves and distinct, compact, greenish-brown flower spikes in late spring/early summer, valued for stabilizing dunes and prairies. It features 3-sided stems, rough leaves with tiny bumps, and unique bracts subtending its flower spikes, making it adaptable to dry conditions where many other plants struggle. 
 
Foliage: Fine-textured, light green, grass-like leaves, often rough to the touch due to tiny bumps (papillae).
Stem (Culm): Stiff, hairless, and distinctly three-angled, a key sedge feature.
Flowers/Fruit: Produces 3-10 small, compact spikes (inflorescences) that are green, yellow, or brownish, often overlapping at the top of the stem.
Habitat: Prefers full sun and very dry, sandy soils, common in dunes, sand prairies, and rocky woodlands.
Ecological Role: Excellent for erosion control and stabilization in sandy areas, and a food source for wildlife.