Davall’s sedge (Carex davalliana, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 5: 266 (1800))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Sm.

Bibliography: Trans. Linn. Soc. London 5: 266 (1800)

Year: 1800

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Türkiye

Description

Davall’s sedge, scientifically known as Carex davalliana, is a notable member of the Cyperaceae family. First described by the botanist James Edward Smith, the taxonomy was recorded in the esteemed journal “Transactions of the Linnean Society of London” in 1800.

This perennial plant is native to a broad region extending from various parts of Europe to Türkiye. Davall’s sedge typically thrives in wet, marshy environments, making it a crucial component of wetland ecosystems. The species is recognized for its distinctive grass-like appearance, forming dense tufts that contribute to the structure and biodiversity of its native habitats.

Carex davalliana plays an essential ecological role, providing habitat and food for various wetland fauna. It is also valuable in soil conservation efforts due to its robust root system, which helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion in marshy and flood-prone areas. The plant’s ability to thrive in saturated soils makes it a critical species for maintaining the health and stability of wetland environments.

Botanically, it is characterized by its slender, green stems and narrow leaves, which can be identified by enthusiasts and experts alike. During its flowering phase, Davall’s sedge produces small, inconspicuous flowers, typical of the sedge family, which contribute to the plant’s reproductive cycle through wind pollination.

In summary, Davall’s sedge (Carex davalliana) is an important species for ecological balance in wetland areas from Europe to Türkiye. Its scientific identification and botanical significance were documented in 1800 by Smith, providing essential insights into its role within the Cyperaceae family and its environmental contributions.

Common Names

Deu: davall-segge, davalls segge
Lav: devela grislis
Dan: rubladet star
Eng: davall’s sedge
Nld: veenzegge
Swe: strävstarr
Cym: hesg davall, hesgen davall
En: Davall’s Sedge
Be: Асака Дэвела
Ca: Càrex de Davall
Cs: Ostřice Davallova
Da: Rubladet star
Nl: Veenzegge
Et: Raudtarn
Fr: Laiche de Davall, Laîche de Davall, Carex de Davall
De: Davall-Segge, Rau-Segge, Torf-Segge, Davalls Segge
Hu: Lápi sás
It: Carice di Davall
Lv: Devela grīslis, Devela grislis
Lt: Liekninė viksva
Pl: Turzyca Davalla
Ru: Осока Дэвелла
Sv: Strävstarr
Uk: Осока Девелла
Cy: Hesgen Davall, Hesg Davall

Synonyms

• Carex recurvirostra (Haller f. ex Steud.)
• Carex scabra (Hoppe)
• Carex davalliana subsp. sieberiana ((Opiz) K.Richt.)
• Vignea davalliana ((Sm.) Rchb.)
• Carex dioica subsp. davalliana ((Sm.) Wahlenb.)
• Carex davalliana var. surrecta (Wallr.)
• Carex leucorhiza (Dulac)
• Caricinella scabra ((Hoppe) St.-Lag.)
• Carex davalliana var. sieberiana ((Opiz) Nyman)
• Maukschia scabra ((Hoppe) Heuff.)
• Carex davalliana var. androgyna (Döll)
• Carex dioica var. davalliana ((Sm.) Wahlenb.)
• Carex sieberiana (Opiz)
• Psyllophora davalliana ((Sm.) Schur)
• Carex dioicotrigona (St.-Lag.)
• Carex davalliana var. squarrosa (Wallr.)
• Carex davalliana f. sieberiana ((Opiz) Bolzon)
• Psyllophora sieberiana ((Opiz) Opiz)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Denmark (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Marylin G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© 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:299386-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2728143)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex davalliana Sm.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2