Great plains sedge (Carex melanostachya, Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 4: 299 (1805))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: M.Bieb. ex Willd.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 4: 299 (1805)

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Xinjiang

Description

Great Plains Sedge, known scientifically as Carex melanostachya, is a plant species that belongs to the Cyperaceae family. This perennial sedge thrives across a diverse range of regions stretching from Europe to Xinjiang, showcasing its adaptability to various climates and soils.

Named by the botanist M.Bieb. ex Willd., Carex melanostachya was first documented in the fourth edition of “Species Plantarum” in 1805. The plant is easily recognizable by its distinctive, dark-colored seed heads and slender, grass-like leaves that taper to a fine point. These seed heads, or “spikes,” are a notable feature and contribute to the plant’s unique aesthetic appeal.

Great Plains Sedge plays a vital role in its native ecosystems. It is commonly found in meadows, wetlands, and along riverbanks, where it contributes to soil stabilization and prevents erosion. The plant’s robust root system binds soil particles together, making it an essential component of riparian zones and other sensitive habitats.

In addition to its ecological benefits, Great Plains Sedge is also appreciated for its ornamental value in landscaping. Its lush, green foliage and striking seed heads make it a popular choice for naturalistic garden designs and habitat restoration projects.

The adaptability and ecological importance of Carex melanostachya underscore its significance as a species well worth preserving and studying, particularly given the environmental challenges posed by climate change and habitat destruction.

Common Names

Eng: great plains sedge, black-spiked sedge
Deu: schwarzährige segge
Fin: unkarinsara
Fra: carex penché
En: Great Plains sedge, Black-spiked sedge
Fi: Unkarinsara
Fr: Carex penché, Laiche à épis noirs, Laîche à épis noirs, Laîche à épi noir
De: Schwarzährige Segge
It: Carice nutante
: Great plains sedge

Synonyms

• Carex ledebourii (Boiss. & Buhse)
• Carex bornmulleri (Kük.)
• Carex nutans f. sulcata ((Schur) Kük.)
• Carex bicuspidata (Regel ex V.I.Krecz.)
• Vignea juncoides ((J.Presl & C.Presl) Opiz)
• Carex nutans var. major (Boeckeler)
• Carex nutans var. japonica (Franch. & Sav.)
• Carex ripariiformis (Litv.)
• Carex juncoides (J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Carex sulcata (Schur)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 3, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

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

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

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

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

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

Habit

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

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

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

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

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

Bark

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

Flower

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

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

© 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/2723271)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300934-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex melanostachya M.Bieb. ex Willd.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 6