sedge

sedge
    n 1: grasslike or rushlike plant growing in wet places having
         solid stems, narrow grasslike leaves and spikelets of
         inconspicuous flowers
    

Sedge \Sedge\, n. [OE. segge, AS. secg; akin to LG. segge; --
   probably named from its bladelike appearance, and akin to L.
   secare to cut, E. saw a cutting instrument; cf. Ir. seisg, W.
   hesg. Cf. {Hassock}, {Saw} the instrument.]
   1. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus {Carex}, perennial,
      endogenous, innutritious herbs, often growing in dense
      tufts in marshy places. They have triangular jointless
      stems, a spiked inflorescence, and long grasslike leaves
      which are usually rough on the margins and midrib. There
      are several hundred species.
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   Note: The name is sometimes given to any other plant of the
         order {Cyperaceae}, which includes {Carex}, {Cyperus},
         {Scirpus}, and many other genera of rushlike plants.
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   2. (Zool.) A flock of herons.
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   {Sedge hen} (Zool.), the clapper rail. See under 5th {Rail}.
      

   {Sedge warbler} (Zool.), a small European singing bird
      ({Acrocephalus phragmitis}). It often builds its nest
      among reeds; -- called also {sedge bird}, {sedge wren},
      {night warbler}, and {Scotch nightingale}.
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