Bog sedge (Carex limosa, Sp. Pl.: 977 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 977 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere, Hispaniola, NW. Venezuela

Description

Bog Sedge (Carex limosa)

Bog Sedge, known scientifically as Carex limosa, is a perennial plant that belongs to the Cyperaceae family. Originally described by the botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in “Species Plantarum,” it has since been widely studied for its unique adaptation to wetland habitats.

This sedge is distributed across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, spanning environments as diverse as Hispaniola and Northwestern Venezuela. Its preferred habitats are typically boggy or marshy areas where it often forms dense carpets, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological functionality of these wetlands.

Notable for its slender, grass-like appearance, Carex limosa possesses narrow, elongated leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers that are typical of many sedges. The plant plays a significant role in its ecosystem, providing habitat and food for various wetland species. It is especially vital within sphagnum bogs, where it helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

With an intrinsic ability to thrive in water-saturated soils, Carex limosa is an excellent example of how plants adapt to specific environmental conditions. Its presence is often an indicator of healthy, intact wetland ecosystems, which are crucial for maintaining regional biodiversity, water purification, and flood control.

Conservation of Carex limosa and its habitats is essential, given their role in supporting a variety of life forms and ecological processes. Further research and protective measures can ensure that these vital ecosystems continue to thrive amid changing environmental conditions.

Common Names

Eng: bog sedge, mud sedge, bog-sedge, muck sedge, shore sedge
Dan: dynd-star
Deu: schlamm-segge
Nor: dystar
Nob: dystarr
Swe: dystarr, mutasara
Nno: dystorr
Fra: laîche des bourbiers, carex des bourbiers
Fin: mutasara
Nld: slijkzegge
Sme: rivotlukti
Cym: hesgen eurwerdd, hesgen llaid
En: Bog sedge, Mud sedge, Shore sedge, Bog-sedge, Muck sedge
Ar: سعادي وحلي
Be: Асака багнавая
Bg: Тинеста острица
Zh: 湿生苔草, 湿生薹草
Cs: Ostřice bažinná
Da: Dynd-Star
Nl: Slijkzegge, Veenmoszegge
Et: Mudatarn
Fi: Mutasara
Fr: Laîche des bourbiers, Carex des bourbiers, Laiche des bourbiers, Laiche des vases, Laîche des vases, Laiche des tourbières, Laîche des tourbières
De: Schlamm-Segge
It: Carice della fanghiglia
Lv: Dūkstu grīslis
Lt: Svyruoklinė viksva
Se: Rivotlukti
No: Dystar
Nb: Dystarr
Nn: Dystorr
Fa: کارکس لیموسا
Pl: Turzyca bagienna
Ru: Осока топяная
Sv: Dystarr, Mutasara
Zh-tw: 濕生苔草
Zh-hant: 濕生苔草
Uk: Осока багнова
Cy: Hesgen eurwerdd, Hesgen Llaid

Synonyms

• Carex limosa f. longivaginata (H.Lindb. ex Hiitonen)
• Carex limosa var. fuscocuprea (Kük.)
• Carex limosa f. pauciflora (Asch.)
• Carex limosa f. obscura (Holmb.)
• Carex limosa f. angustisquama (Holmb.)
• Carex limosa f. robustior (Lackow.)
• Carex limosa f. stans (Bolle)
• Carex limosa var. planifolia (Kohts)
• Carex limosa var. painei (Dewey)
• Trasus limosus ((L.) Gray)
• Carex limosa f. laxiformis (Lackow.)
• Carex limosa var. oblonga (Dewey)
• Carex elegans (Willd.)
• Carex glaucocarpa (St.-Lag.)
• Carex fuscocuprea ((Kük.) V.I.Krecz.)
• Facolos limosa ((L.) Raf.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2020 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2020 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 26, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 14, 2015 by EOL − Christopher Tracey (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Bernard TILLY (©)

Taken Jun 30, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Christophe RAGUE (cc-by-sa)

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

Habit

Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Christophe RAGUE (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

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

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

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

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

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300678-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2725881)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex limosa L.)

Specifications

Growth