Family: Cyperaceae
Author: (L.) Reichard
Bibliography: Fl. Moeno-Francof. 2: 96 (1778)
Year: 1778
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Carex
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Black sedge, known scientifically as Carex nigra, is a resilient, perennial plant that predominantly inhabits temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Belonging to the family Cyperaceae, this species is well-recognized for its distinctive, dark-colored seed heads that give the plant its common name.
First described in 1778 in the botanical work “Flora Moeno-Francofurtana” by the botanist Ludwig Reichard, Black sedge has since been studied extensively for its unique ecological roles and adaptability. The species thrives in a variety of moist environments, from wetlands and marshes to the damp meadows and riverbanks across its expansive range.
Black sedge plays a crucial role in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion in its native habitats. It also provides essential habitat and food sources for a variety of wildlife, including insects and birds, contributing positively to local biodiversity. Easily identified by its grass-like leaves and dense clusters of dark flower spikes, Carex nigra is often appreciated in ecological restoration projects and conservation efforts due to its hardiness and beneficial environmental attributes.
This plant’s resilience and wide distribution make it an interesting subject for both amateur botanists and professional researchers who are interested in the dynamics of temperate zone flora and its ecosystems.
Common Names
Dan: almindelig star
Eng: black sedge, common sedge, smooth black sedge
Deu: braun-segge, wiesen-segge
Fra: carex noir, laîche noire, laîche sombre, laîche vulgaire, laiche brune, teigne
Swe: hundstarr, jokapaikansara, småstarr
Fin: jokapaikansara
Nob: småstarr
Nno: småstorr
Nor: svartstar
Nld: zwarte zegge
Sme: smávvalukti
Ita: carice fosca
Cym: hesg cyffredin, hesgen gyffredin, swp-hesgen y fawnog
En: Black sedge, Common sedge, Smooth black sedge
Az: Qara cil
Bg: Черна острица
Ca: Càrex fosc
Cs: Ostřice obecná
Da: Almindelig Star
Nl: Zwarte zegge
Et: Harilik tarn
Fi: Jokapaikansara
Fr: Laîche sombre, Carex noir, Laîche vulgaire, Laîche noire, Laiche brune, Teigne, Laîche brune, Laiche de Goodenough, Laîche de Goodenough, Laiche noire, Laiche brun-verdâtre, Laîche brun-verdâtre, Laiche vulgaire
De: Braun-Segge, Wiesen-Segge, Wiesensegge, Braune Segge
Is: Mýrastör
Ga: Cíb dhubh
It: Carice fosca
Lv: Dzelzszāle
Lt: Paprastoji viksva
Se: Smávvalukti
No: Svartstar
Nb: Småstarr
Nn: Småstorr
Fa: کارکس نیگرا
Pl: Turzyca pospolita
Ru: Осока чёрная
Sv: Hundstarr, Jokapaikansara, Småstarr
Uk: Осока чорна
Cy: Hesgen gyffredin, Hesg Cyffredin, Swp-Hesgen y Fawnog
Synonyms
- Vignantha vulgaris (Schur)
- Carex stolonifera subsp. vulgaris (O.Schwarz)
- Carex vulgaris var. communis (Meinsh.)
- Vignea vulgaris (Fuss)
- Carex nigra subsp. carpetana (C.Vicioso ex Rivas Mart.)
- Carex vulgaris (Fr.)
- Carex fusca subsp. carpetana (C.Vicioso ex Rivas Mart.)
- Carex acuta subsp. nigra ((L.) Ehrh.)
- Carex acuta var. nigra (L.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chita (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Maine (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Vermont (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- South Georgia (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 1, 2022 by Nat ural (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 10, 2021 by ChiaRoby (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Jean-Michel Faton (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Léo TETREL (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 26, 2008 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2008 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2008 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 24, 2019 by P M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Beytullah AYDIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Léo TETREL (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2019 by P M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 20, 2019 by Nora Rapp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 20, 2019 by Nora Rapp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (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.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2724925)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30066383-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex nigra (L.) Reichard)