Bottle sedge (Carex rostrata, W.Withering, Bot. Arr. Brit. Pl. ed. 2. 2: 1059 (1787))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Stokes

Bibliography: W.Withering, Bot. Arr. Brit. Pl. ed. 2. 2: 1059 (1787)

Year: 1787

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Eurasia, Subarctic America to N. U.S.A.

Description

Bottle Sedge, scientifically known as Carex rostrata, is a perennial plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family. Its recognition as a distinct species was first documented by the botanist Stokes in 1787 in W. Withering’s “Botanical Arrangement of British Plants.”

This robust species thrives in various climates, predominantly found in Subarctic and temperate regions across Eurasia and North America. Specifically, its range extends from the Subarctic territories to the northern parts of the United States. Its adaptability to colder climates makes it a vital component of wetland ecosystems in these areas.

Bottle Sedge is characterized by its grass-like appearance and thrives in moist environments such as fens, bogs, and marshes. It typically grows in dense clumps, with stems reaching up to lengths that vary depending on the surrounding habitat conditions. The leaves of the Bottle Sedge are typically long and narrow, contributing to its distinctive tufty appearance.

One of the most notable features of Carex rostrata is its inflorescence. The plant produces spikelets that contain both male and female flowers. The bottle-shaped seed heads, which give the plant its common name, develop after pollination and can be observed throughout the growing season.

Ecologically, Bottle Sedge plays a crucial role in aquatic and semi-aquatic environments. It provides habitat and food for numerous wildlife species, including birds and insects. Its dense root system also helps stabilize soil and reduce erosion, making it an essential plant for maintaining the health and integrity of wetland ecosystems.

For botanists and plant enthusiasts, Carex rostrata is not only of interest for its ecological importance but also for its aesthetic and horticultural value. It is occasionally used in natural landscaping projects to recreate native wetland habitats and promote biodiversity.

In summary, Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata) is a versatile and ecologically significant plant species that flourishes in the cooler regions of Eurasia and North America. Its distinctive morphology, ecological benefits, and adaptability make it a valuable subject of study and conservation within the diverse Cyperaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: beaked sedge, bottle sedge, swollen beaked sedge, bottlebrush sedge, narrow-leaved beaked sedge, northern yellow lake sedge, rostrate sedge
Dan: næb-star
Deu: schnabel-segge
Nob: flaskestarr
Nno: flaskestorr
Swe: flaskstarr, pullosara, ljus flaskstarr
Nor: lappesenne, senne-græs, skiæne, sko-senne
Fra: laîche à bec, carex rostré, laiche à utricules contractés en bec, laîche en ampoules
Fin: pullosara
Nld: snavelzegge
Sme: šluppotlukti, rukseslukti
Cym: hesg gylfinfain, hesgen chwysigennaidd ylfinfain, hesgen ylfinfain
En: Bottle sedge, Beaked sedge, Swollen beaked sedge; Northwest Territory sedge, Swollen Beaked Sedge, Bottlebrush sedge, Narrow-leaved beaked sedge, Northern yellow lake sedge, Rostrate sedge, Beaded Sedge
Ar: سعادي منقاري
Be: Асака ўспухлая
Bg: Човчеста острица
Ca: Càrex rostrat
Zh: 灰株苔草, 灰株薹草
Cs: Ostřice zobánkatá
Da: Næb-star
Nl: Snavelzegge
Et: Pudeltarn
Fi: Pullosara
Fr: Laîche à bec, Carex rostré, Laiche à utricules contractés en bec, Laîche en ampoules, Laiche à ampoules, Laîche à ampoules, Laiche à bec, Laiche en vessie, Laîche en vessie, Laîche à utricules contractés en bec
De: Schnabel-Segge, Flaschen-Segge
Hu: Csőrös sás
Is: Tjarnastör
It: Carice rigonfia
Lv: Uzpūstais grīslis
Lt: Snapuotoji viksva
Se: Šluppotlukti, Rukseslukti
No: Flaskestarr, Lappesenne, Senne-græs, Skiæne, Sko-senne
Nb: Flaskestarr
Nn: Flaskestorr
Fa: کارکس رستراتا
Pl: Turzyca dzióbkowata
Ru: Осока носиковая
Sv: Flaskstarr, Pullosara, Ljus flaskstarr
Zh-tw: 灰株苔草
Zh-hant: 灰株苔草
Uk: Осока здута
Cy: Hesgen ylfinfain, Hesg Gylfinfain, Hesgen Chwysigennaidd Ylfinfain

Synonyms

• Carex ampullacea (Gooden.)
• Carex rostrata var. longipalea (Neuman)
• Carex rostrata var. maxima ((Andersson) Neuman)
• Trasus ampullaceus (Gray)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by magnus harling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Hynninen Mikko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Hynninen Mikko (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HoudrÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Peltonen Petri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Bruno MACÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Bruno MACÉ (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

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

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

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

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Leaf

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2017 by pierre-etienne allard (cc-by-sa)

© 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/2726725)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:302002-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex rostrata Stokes)

Specifications

Growth