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Umbrella sedge and Oʻahu sedge: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Umbrella sedge Cyperus involucratus	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Oʻahu sedge Carex wahuensis subsp. wahuensis
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula	Hawaiian native range: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Shade
Soil moisture
Wet soil or standing water	Dry soil
Mature height
1½–4 ft	1–2½+ ft
Mature spread
2–3 ft	2+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
8–11	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Summer–fall seedheads	Year-round foliage & seedheads
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	This tough native sedge adds groundcover and erosion control without relying on introduced umbrella sedges.
Growing notes
Clumping sedge for water gardens; commonly sold as umbrella plant.	Often looks best in partial shade, but also tolerates shade; established plants prefer the drier side.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.