Drooping sedge (Carex pendula, Fl. Angl.: 352 (1762))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Huds.

Bibliography: Fl. Angl.: 352 (1762)

Year: 1762

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Madeira, NW. & C. Europe to Medit.

Description

Drooping sedge, scientifically known as Carex pendula, is an esteemed member of the Cyperaceae family. This elegant perennial sedge is distinguishable by its graceful, arching foliage and drooping flower spikes, which lend the plant a delicate, cascading appearance throughout its growth cycle.

Native to Madeira and widespread across northwest and central Europe extending to the Mediterranean region, Carex pendula thrives in a variety of ecological niches. Its adaptability makes it a common sight in moist forest margins, stream banks, and marshy landscapes, where it often forms lush, dense clumps.

Characterized by its tall stature, Carex pendula can reach up to 1.5 meters in height. Its foliage consists of slender, linear leaves with a glossy green surface, providing a lush backdrop against which its inflorescences stand out prominently. The flowering stems, notable for their pendulous spikelets, bear numerous small, wind-pollinated flowers that typically bloom from late spring to early summer.

First described in 1762 by the botanist William Hudson in his work Flora Anglica, Carex pendula has since been a plant of interest both horticulturally and ecologically. Its robust nature and ornamental appeal have secured its place in gardens and naturalized areas, where it contributes to biodiversity and provides habitat for various wildlife species.

In summary, Carex pendula or drooping sedge is not only a plant of aesthetic and ecological significance but also one deeply rooted in European botanical history. This graceful sedge continues to flourish across its native habitat, embodying both the beauty and resilience typical of the Cyperaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: hanging sedge, drooping sedge, pendulous sedge, sedge-grass, pendulus sedge, weeping sedge
Deu: hänge-segge, riesen-segge
Dan: kæmpe-star
Nld: hangende zegge
Nob: hengestarr
Nno: hengjestorr
Swe: hängstarr
Fra: laîche géante, laîche pendante, laîche à épis pendants, carex à épis pendants, laiche à épis pendants
Cym: hesg pendrwm, hesgen bendrom, hesgen bendrymus, hesgen ddibynnaidd fwyaf
En: Drooping sedge, Pendulous sedge, Sedge-grass, Hanging sedge, Pendulus Sedge, Weeping sedge, Giant Sedge
Hy: Բոշխ կախված
Eu: Ezpata-belar arrunt
Bg: Увиснала острица
Ca: Càrex màxim
Hr: Visoki šaš
Cs: Ostřice převislá
Da: Kæmpe-Star
Nl: Hangende zegge
Fi: Nuokkusara
Fr: Laîche géante, Laîche pendante, Laîche à épis pendants, Carex à épis pendants, Laiche à épis pendants, Laiche élevée, Laîche élevée, Laiche pendante
De: Riesen-Segge, Hänge-Segge, Überhängende Segge, Hängende Segge
Ga: Cíb chrom
It: Carice maggiore
Nb: Hengestarr
Nn: Hengjestorr
Fa: کارکس پندولا
Pl: Turzyca zwisła
Ru: Осока висячая
Es: Espadaña
Sv: Hängstarr
Cy: Hesgen bendrom, Hesg Pendrwm, Hesgen Bendrymus, Hesgen Ddibynnaidd Fwyaf

Synonyms

• Trasus pendulus var. androgynus (Gray)
• Manochlaenia pendula ((Huds.) Fedde & J.Schust.)
• Carex pendula f. pallida (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex tenuirostrata (X.F.Jin, S.H.Jin & D.F.Wu)
• Carex pendula var. myosuroides (Boott)
• Carex maxima (Scop.)
• Trasus pendulus ((Huds.) Gray)
• Carex myosuroides (Lowe)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2018 by Christian TANGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2020 by Philippe Levarlet (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 18, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by H L (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Monsieur Rouge (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by David Faulkner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2020 by Philippe Levarlet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2020 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2019 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2022 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

Bark

Taken Nov 28, 2020 by Ann Shippey (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2019 by claude bourgeois (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:301492-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2722051)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex pendula Huds.)

Specifications

Growth