Black alpine sedge (Carex atrata, Sp. Pl.: 976 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 976 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Eurasia, Greenland

Description

The Black Alpine Sedge, known scientifically as Carex atrata, is a notable species within the family Cyperaceae. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, this perennial plant has since captured the interest of botanists and ecologists alike.

Primarily found in temperate regions of Eurasia and extending its reach to Greenland, Carex atrata thrives in the harsh conditions typically found at high altitudes. It favors alpine and subalpine meadows, as well as moorlands, adapting to the unique environmental challenges posed by these habitats.

The Black Alpine Sedge is characterized by its dark, almost black, spikelets, which give the plant its common name. Its foliage consists of slender, grass-like leaves that contribute to its tufted appearance. The plant’s robust nature allows it to anchor firmly in nutrient-poor soils, often dominated by rocky substrates.

Ecologically, Carex atrata plays a crucial role in its native habitats. It helps stabilize soil and reduce erosion in fragile alpine ecosystems, which are susceptible to the impacts of climate change and human activities. Additionally, it provides habitat and food for a variety of alpine insects and other small wildlife, playing a part in maintaining the biodiversity of these regions.

The resilience and adaptability of the Black Alpine Sedge make it a subject of interest for ecological studies, particularly in understanding how alpine plants cope with extreme conditions such as low temperatures, high UV radiation, and limited nutrient availability. Its widespread presence across Greenland and temperate parts of Eurasia illustrates the plant’s impressive ability to colonize and sustain itself in some of the planet’s most demanding environments.

Common Names

Deu: schwarze segge, trauer-segge
Eng: black alpine sedge, black alpine-sedge, blackened sedge
Swe: svartstarr
Fra: carex noirâtre, laiche noirâtre
Sme: čáhppeslukti
Cym: hesgen ddu alpaidd, hesgen ddu’r mynydd
En: Black alpine sedge, Black-spike sedge, Black Alpine-sedge, Blackened sedge
Bg: Възчерна острица
Zh: 南湖扁果薹, 黑穗苔草, 黑穗薹草
Cs: Ostřice tmavá
Fi: Mustasara
Fr: Carex noirâtre, Laiche noirâtre, Laîche noirâtre
De: Trauer-Segge, Schwarze Segge
It: Carice abbronzata
Ko: 감둥사초
Se: Čáhppeslukti
Pl: Turzyca czarniawa
Ru: Осока почерневшая
Sv: Svartstarr
Zh-tw: 南湖扁果薹
Zh-hant: 黑穗苔草
Uk: Осока чорнувата
Cy: Hesgen ddu‘r mynydd, Hesgen Ddu Alpaidd, Hesgen Ddu’r Mynydd

Synonyms

• Loxanisa atrata ((L.) Raf.)
• Carex atrata var. varia (Gaudin)
• Trasus atratus ((L.) Gray)
• Carex atrata var. typica (Beck)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Rohweder Karsten (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Laurence Serre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Krampl Tomáš (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 14, 2011 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Acym MICHEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2011 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 14, 2011 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Krampl Tomáš (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Acym MICHEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2021 by Noel Benson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2022 by Simon Flippo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Rohweder Karsten (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 29, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Acym MICHEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc GORREMANS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 1995 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8657424)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30009416-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex atrata L.)

Specifications

Growth