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. 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.
☞ The name is sometimes given to any other plant of the order Cyperaceæ, which includes Carex, Cyperus, Scirpus, and many other genera of rushlike plants. 2. 2. (Zoöl.) A flock of herons.
Sedge hen (Zoöl.), the clapper rail. See under 5th Rail. — Sedge warbler (Zoöl.), 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.