Divided sedge (Carex divisa, Fl. Angl.: 348 (1762))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Huds.

Bibliography: Fl. Angl.: 348 (1762)

Year: 1762

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to W. China

Description

Divided sedge, known scientifically as Carex divisa, is a notable species within the Cyperaceae family. First documented in 1762 by Huds., this perennial plant is geographically diverse, with a range extending from Europe to Western China.

Characterized by its clustered growth pattern, divided sedge typically thrives in wet meadows, marshlands, and alongside riverbanks where it can benefit from consistently moist soil conditions. The plant features distinctive cylindrical flower spikes which, during blooming season, display a complex and segmented appearance that underscores its common name.

Ecologically, Carex divisa plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and health of wetland ecosystems. It offers habitat and food sources for various wildlife species, including insect pollinators and aquatic birds. Additionally, its dense root system helps prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the substrate in its natural habitats.

In terms of horticulture and landscape management, divided sedge is valued for its resilience and ability to adapt to a variety of soil types, provided there is adequate moisture. This makes it an excellent candidate for naturalizing areas in wetland restoration projects, adding both aesthetic and ecological value.

Overall, Carex divisa stands out not only for its unique botanical characteristics but also for its adaptability and ecological significance across a broad geographical range.

Common Names

Deu: geteilte segge
Eng: separated sedge, divided sedge
Nld: kustzegge
Fra: laîche divisée
Ara: sard
Cym: hesg rhanedig, hesgen flodeulog, hesgen ranedig
En: Divided sedge, Separated sedge
Ar: صرد، صارد, Sard
Ca: Càrex divís
Cs: Ostřice dělená
Nl: Kustzegge, Waardzegge
Fr: Laîche divisée, Laiche à utricules bifides, Laîche à utricules bifides, Laiche d’Öder, Laîche d’Öder, Laiche divisée, Kobrésie simple, Laîche de Lachenal, Laîche fétide, Laîche à feuilles filiformes
De: Geteilte Segge, Öders Gelb-Segge, Öders Segge
He: כריך מחולק
Hu: Csátés sás
It: Carice scirpina, Carice di Öder
Fa: کارکس دیویسا
Ru: Осока раздельная
Cy: Hesgen ranedig, Hesg Rhanedig, Hesgen Flodeulog

Synonyms

• Carex setifolia (Godr.)
• Carex paradoxa (Benth.)
• Carex schreberi (Ten. ex Boott)
• Carex lobata (Lam.)
• Carex rivularis (Schkuhr)
• Carex divisa var. ammophila ((Willd.) Nyman)
• Carex chaetophylla (Steud.)
• Carex divisa subsp. chaetophylla ((Steud.) Nyman)
• Caricina setifolia ((Fourr.) St.-Lag.)
• Vignea divisa ((Huds.) Rchb.)
• Vignea austroafghanica ((Raymond) Soják)
• Carex coacta (Boott)
• Carex austroafghanica (Raymond)
• Carex austriaca (Schkuhr)
• Carex moniziana (Lowe ex Boott)
• Vignea bertolonii ((Schkuhr) Rchb.)
• Carex rivalis (Planellas)
• Carex divisa var. cuspidata (Nyman)
• Carex bertolonii (Schkuhr)
• Carex splendens (Thuill. ex Pers.)
• Vignea setifolia (Fourr.)
• Carex curaica var. coacta ((Boott) Boott)
• Carex divisa f. rivularis ((Schkuhr) Kük.)
• Carex ammophila (Willd.)
• Carex hymelayensis (Steud.)
• Carex divisa var. longiculmis (Willk.)
• Carex algarbiensis (Samp.)
• Carex divisa var. rivularis ((Schkuhr) Nyman)
• Carex divisa var. splendens ((Thuill. ex Pers.) Nyman)
• Carex ammophila var. longiculmis ((Willk.) Rouy)
• Vignea rivularis ((Schkuhr) Schur)
• Carex divisa var. setifolia ((Fourr.) Trab.)
• Carex coarctata (Kit.)
• Carex fontanesii (Poir.)
• Carex divisa var. austriaca ((Schkuhr) Nyman)
• Carex divisa var. platyphylla (Braun-Blanq. & Trab.)
• Carex divisa subsp. setifolia ((Fourr.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Carex divisa var. curta (Gray)
• Carex divisa f. pallidiflora (Kük.)
• Carex divisa var. chaetophylla ((Steud.) Daveau)
• Caricina divisa ((Huds.) St.-Lag.)
• Diemisa splendens ((Thuill. ex Pers.) Raf.)
• Carex divisa var. moniziana ((Lowe ex Boott) Kük.)
• Carex divisa subsp. ammophila ((Willd.) C.Vicioso)
• Vignea ammophila ((Willd.) Rchb.)
• Carex cuspidata (Bertol.)
• Carex schoenoides (Thuill.)
• Carex fuscescens (Willd. ex Kunth)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2020 by Elena Bertoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 29, 2020 by Jose Miguel Berrocal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2020 by Storari Samuele (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2019 by Tranah Anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 6, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Stephen LEROY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − auseth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2021 by Chondol Thinles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

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

Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 31, 1882 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (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/2723410)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:299516-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex divisa Huds.)

Specifications

Growth