Warrior Plants - Wet Prairie & Sedge Meadow

The ecological significance of "Warrior Plants" in wet prairie and sedge meadow wetland environments cannot be overstated, as they serve a critical function in stabilizing the habitat and competing against invasive species. Thanks to Tom Vanderpoel for some of the species on this list. Also, see his writing on Reclaiming Sedge Meadow from A Healthy Nature Handbook.

What are Warrior Plants? Warrior Plants are specifically selected species that are highly competitive in their niche community.  These highly competitive traits help ward off invasive species. When used as part of Flywheel Ecology they are your secret weapon in building resilient, healthy ecosystems. It is important to note that many of these plants are not easy or impossible to establish from seed under these challenging conditions and many of the Warrior Plants reproduce vegetatively so they don't produce much seed and may be difficult to acquire by seed. Therefore, we strongly recommend their installation by plug to ensure their successful establishment. 

Restoring wet prairie and sedge meadow wetland habitats poses several challenges, including the continuous disturbance from stormwater bounce, drought, and the constant influx of invasive species. To address these difficulties, it is crucial to maximize the benefits of these resilient Warrior Plants. Without their installation, invasive species will become an ongoing issue, necessitating the extensive and never-ending use of herbicides. Thus, it is imperative to prioritize the use of these plants in wet prairie and sedge meadow wetland projects to maintain ecological balance and protect vital habitats.

We have established a generalized planting zone that can be used to help develop a planting plan for your wetland restoration project.