Fewflower sedge (Carex pauciflora, Fl. Scot. 2: 543 (1777))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Lightf.

Bibliography: Fl. Scot. 2: 543 (1777)

Year: 1777

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Fewflower sedge, known scientifically as Carex pauciflora, is an intriguing species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. This plant is often celebrated for its delicate appearance and unique growth patterns. As part of the rich tapestry of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, Fewflower sedge thrives in a diversity of habitats, often favoring moist, boggy environments.

The species was first described in the seminal work “Fl. Scot.” (Flora Scotica) published in 1777 by the botanist Lightf. This work has been fundamental in detailing various plant species native to Scotland and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

Fewflower sedge stands out with its slender, grass-like leaves and its name aptly describes the modest number of flowers that it produces. Typically, its blooms are sparse but visually compelling, adding subtle beauty to the landscapes it inhabits. The plant’s ecological role is also noteworthy, providing habitat and sustenance for various forms of wildlife while contributing to the health of bog ecosystems by stabilizing the soil and improving water quality.

Overall, Carex pauciflora exemplifies the unique botanical diversity found in temperate regions and remains a subject of interest for botanists and naturalists alike who seek to understand and preserve the natural world.

Common Names

Deu: armblütige segge, wenigblütige segge
Eng: fewflower sedge, few-flowered sedge, few-flowered bog sedge, star sedge
Dan: fåblomstret star
Swe: rahkasara, taggstarr
Fin: rahkasara
Nob: sveltstarr
Nno: sveltstorr
Fra: carex pauciflore, laîche pauciflore
Sme: darfelukti
Cym: hesgen brin-flodeuog, hesgen brinflodeuog
En: Fewflower sedge, Few-Flower Sedge, Star sedge, Few-flowered Sedge, Few-flowered bog sedge
Be: Асака малакветкавая
Cs: Ostřice chudokvětá
Da: Fåblomstret Star
Nl: Armbloemige Zegge
Et: Õievähene tarn
Fi: Rahkasara
Fr: Carex pauciflore, Laîche pauciflore, Laiche pauciflore
De: Armblütige Segge, Armblütiges Riedgras, Wenigblütige Segge
It: Carice a pochi fiori
Lv: Mazziedu grīslis
Lt: Retažiedė viksva
Se: Darfelukti
No: Sveltstarr, Sveltstorr
Nb: Sveltstarr
Nn: Sveltstorr
Fa: کارکس پاکیفلورا
Pl: Turzyca skąpokwiatowa
Ru: Осока малоцветковая
Sv: Taggstarr, Rahkasara
Cy: Hesgen brinflodeuog, Hesgen Brin-Flodeuog

Synonyms

• Anithista patula (Raf.)
• Caricinella pauciflora ((Lightf.) St.-Lag.)
• Carex pauciflora f. elatior (Kük. & J.Schust.)
• Carex phyllophora (Kunth)
• Psyllophora pauciflora ((Lightf.) Schur)
• Leucoglochin pauciflorus ((Lightf.) Heuff.)
• Trasus pauciflorus ((Lightf.) Gray)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2009 by EOL − Jan Ševčík (public)

Taken Jun 24, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2020 by Mike (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

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

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

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

Habit

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

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

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

Taken Nov 14, 2007 by EOL − Ladislava Paštová (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 10, 2009 by EOL − Jan Ševčík (public)

Leaf

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

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Bark

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

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

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

Taken Jan 16, 2016 by EOL − M. Goff (cc-by-nc-sa)

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

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

Other

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 Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2727907)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:301464-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex pauciflora Lightf.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.0

Ph minimum: 3.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 1