Family: Cyperaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 975 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Carex
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Iran, N. Africa
Description
Hairy sedge, scientifically known as Carex hirta, is a perennial plant commonly found across various regions, including Europe, parts of Iran, and Northern Africa. This resilient species belongs to the Cyperaceae family, a group known for its grass-like appearance.
Originating from diverse habitats, Carex hirta thrives particularly well in moist environments such as wet meadows, riverbanks, and damp woodlands. Its adaptability allows it to colonize both nutrient-rich and somewhat acidic soils, making it a prevalent species in a variety of ecosystems.
The plant itself is easily recognizable due to its distinctive hairy texture, which sets it apart from other sedges. These hairs cover both the leaves and the stems, giving the plant its characteristic appearance and name. Its leaves are typically broad and dark green, contributing to its ability to photosynthesize efficiently even in shaded areas.
Hairy sedge plays a crucial ecological role. It provides habitat and food for various wildlife species, including insects and birds. Its dense growth formation helps prevent soil erosion, stabilizing the ground in riparian zones and other vulnerable landscapes.
Historically, the species was first described by the renowned Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, as documented in his work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753. Since then, Carex hirta has been extensively studied, appreciated both for its unique morphology and its environmental importance.
In conclusion, Carex hirta, or hairy sedge, is a significant and widespread member of the Cyperaceae family. With a presence spanning from Europe to Iran and Northern Africa, it is an integral component of wetland ecosystems, aiding in soil stabilization and providing habitat for wildlife. It remains a subject of botanical interest since its initial classification by Linnaeus in the mid-18th century.
Common Names
Deu: behaarte segge
Eng: hammer sedge, hairy sedge, rough sedge, sharp-toothed woolly sedge
Dan: håret star
Fra: carex hérissé, laîche hérissée
Swe: grusstarr, karvasara
Fin: karvasara
Nob: lodnestarr
Nno: lodnestorr
Nor: løen-star
Nld: ruige zegge
Cym: hesg blewog, hesgen flewog
En: Hairy sedge, Hammer sedge, Rough sedge, Sharp-toothed woolly sedge
Ar: سعادي مشعر
Be: Асака варсістая
Bg: Твърдовлакнеста острица
Ca: Càrex hirsut
Cs: Ostřice srstnatá
Da: Håret Star
Nl: Ruige zegge
Et: Karvane tarn
Fi: Karvasara
Fr: Laîche hérissée, Carex hérissé, Laiche hérissée, Laiche velue, Laîche velue
De: Behaarte Segge, Rauhe Segge
It: Carice villosa
Lv: Pūkainais grīslis
Mk: Бусенеста острика
No: Løen-star
Nb: Lodnestarr
Nn: Lodnestorr
Os: Тама
Fa: کارکس هیرتا
Pl: Turzyca owłosiona
Ru: Осока мохнатая
Sk: Ostrica srstnatá
Es: Laston
Sv: Grusstarr, Karvasara
Tr: Tüylü ayak otu
Cy: Hesgen flewog, Hesg Blewog
Synonyms
- Carex hirta var. repens (F.Nyl.)
- Carex hirta var. fuscescentes (Lej.)
- Carex hirta var. sublaevis (Hornem.)
- Carex hirta subsp. hirtiformis (K.Richt.)
- Carex hirta f. latifolia (Waisb. ex Kük.)
- Carex hirta var. aquatica (Waisb.)
- Carex hirta f. hirtiformis ((Pers.) Kunth)
- Carex hirta var. pusilla (Merino)
- Trasus hirtus var. compositus (Gray)
- Carex hirta f. subhirtiformis (Kneuck.)
- Carex hirta var. hirtiformis-aquatica (Lej.)
- Carex hirta f. spinosa (H.Mort.)
- Carex hirta f. pseudohirta (Schur)
- Carex hirta var. glabra (Gaudin)
- Carex hirta var. hirtiformis-terrestris (Lej.)
- Carex hirta f. paludosa (A.Winkl. ex Asch. & Graebn.)
- Carex hirta f. major (Peterm.)
- Carex hirta var. vera (Neilr.)
- Carex hirta var. subglabra (Čelak.)
- Carex hirta var. glabrata (Boenn.)
- Carex hirta var. humilis (Peterm.)
- Carex hirta var. glabrescens (Cariot)
- Trasus hirtus var. glaber (Gray)
- Carex hirta f. hirsutissima (Podp.)
- Carex hirta f. villosa (Peterm.)
- Carex hirta var. hirtaeformis ((Pers.) Coss. & Germ.)
- Trasus hirtus ((L.) Gray)
- Carex hirta f. glabrata (Peterm.)
- Carex hirta var. hirtiformis ((Pers.) Mérat)
- Carex hirtiformis (Pers.)
- Carex hirta var. pilosa (Čelak.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krym (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Apr 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yves PENIT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Steve Orridge (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 14, 2019 by Ткаченко Мария (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Delia McNally (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 20, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc GORREMANS (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 23, 2022 by agnes lietaer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Dan Carne (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 19, 2021 by Boumlik Messaïli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Other
Taken May 31, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken May 18, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 18, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2724661)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300162-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex hirta L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]
Soil nutriments: 7