VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Carex filifolia | Threadleaf Sedge 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Threadleaf sedge provides excellent forage for several livestock and
wildlife species, although production is very low [25].  It provides
extremely valuable early spring growth and remains palatable throughout
the growing season [21,25,34].  Threadleaf sedge is an important winter
and spring forage for both elk and bison [37,38].  It is also one of the
five main forages of the black-tailed prairie dog [26].  Domestic
animals such as cattle, sheep, and horses also use this species [5].


PALATABILITY : 
Although palatability varies widely with location, it is generally fair
to good for livestock and wildlife [5].  Young plants are preferred, but
threadleaf sedge maintains high palatability throughout the growing
season [21,25].  Palatability has been rated at 70 percent for cattle
[21].

The relish and degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for
threadleaf sedge in several western states has been rated as follows
[7]:

                       CO      MT      ND      UT      WY
Cattle                Fair    Good    Good    Fair    Fair
Sheep                 Good    Good    Good    Fair    Good
Horses                Good    Good    Good    Fair    Fair
Elk                   ----    Fair    ----    Fair    Good
Mule deer             ----    Poor    Good    Fair    Fair
White-tailed deer     Fair    Good    ----    ----    ----
Pronghorn             ----    Poor    Good    Fair    Fair
Upland game birds     ----    ----    ----    Fair    ----
Waterfowl             ----    Fair    ----    Poor    ----
Small nongame birds   ----    ----    ----    Fair    ----
Small mammals         ----    ----    ----    Fair    Good



NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The nutrient content of threadleaf sedge has been reported as follows
[18]:

  (Protein is more digestible in fresh grass than in overripe grass).

                      N-free    Ether     Crude
            Protein   Extract   Extract   Fiber     Ash
Fresh         7.5      45.6      3.2      32.9      10.8
Overripe      4.1      43.4      3.2      37.5      11.8



COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
The ability of the root system of this species to hold soil in place
makes it an ideal candidate for controlling wind- and water-induced soil
erosion.  It exhibits good growth on moderate slopes and fair growth on
steep slopes.  Erosion-control potential has been rated high for
Colorado, and medium for Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota.
Long-term revegatation potential has been rated medium for Utah,
Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota [7].

Limited seed availability restricts the use of this plant.  Native seed
harvests would be costly due to the low seed production, and currently
no commercial sources are available.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Food:  American Indians used culm bases as food during famines [25].

Drought tolerance:  Threadleaf sedge has value as a drought-tolerant
species [31].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Threadleaf sedge decreases under heavy grazing pressure.  Reproduction
is almost entirely from seed, so if the stand is grazed so closely that
no seed production occurs, it will soon deteriorate [5].

Plants lose vigor when overgrazed and are eventually replaced by blue
grama and buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), which are more resistant
to close grazing [10,31].

Related categories for Species: Carex filifolia | Threadleaf Sedge