Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia, Fl. Londin. 4: t. 60 (1783))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Curtis

Bibliography: Fl. Londin. 4: t. 60 (1783)

Year: 1783

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to C. Asia

Description

The Greater Pond Sedge, scientifically known as Carex riparia, is a compelling plant species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. First catalogued by Curtis in 1783, it was described in “Flora Londinensis” under plate 60. This versatile sedge is widely distributed across Europe extending to Central Asia, showcasing its adaptability to different environmental conditions.

The Greater Pond Sedge thrives in wetland habitats, often flourishing in the margins of ponds, lakes, and rivers. It plays an important ecological role, providing habitat and shelter for various wildlife and contributing to the overall health of wetland ecosystems. The robust, tufted nature of Carex riparia allows it to stabilize banks and reduce soil erosion, highlighting its value beyond mere aesthetics.

Mature plants of this sedge can reach impressive heights, often growing up to 1.5 meters tall. Its leaves are broad, flat, and form dense clumps, which are characteristic of its kind. Flowering typically occurs from May to July, during which period it produces inconspicuous but ecologically significant flowers that later develop into fruits.

This plant is not only a keystone species for habitats but also of interest for its potential applications in natural water filtration systems and habitat restoration projects. Its resilience and utility make the Greater Pond Sedge a species of both ecological and practical significance.

Common Names

Nor: kjempestarr
Dan: tykakset star
Deu: ufer-segge, ufersegge
Eng: greater pond sedge, greater pond-sedge, pond sedge, great pond-sedge
Swe: jättestarr, vankkasara
Nob: kjempestarr
Nno: kjempestorr
Fra: laîche des rives
Nld: oeverzegge
Fin: vankkasara
Ita: carice spondicola
Cym: hesgen braff-dywysennog, hesgen-y-dŵr fawr
En: Greater pond sedge, Pond sedge, Greater Pond-Sedge, Great Pond-Sedge
Be: Асака берагавая
Bg: Брегова острица
Ca: Càrex ripari
Zh: 泽生苔草, 泽生薹草
Cv: Шырлан хăяхĕ
Cs: Ostřice pobřežní
Da: Tykakset star
Nl: Oeverzegge
Et: Kallastarn
Fi: Vankkasara
Fr: Laîche des rives, Laiche des rives
De: Ufer-Segge, Ufersegge
It: Carice spondicola
Kk: Жағалық қияқөлең
Lv: Krasta grīslis
Lt: Pakrantinė viksva
No: Kjempestarr
Nb: Kjempestarr
Nn: Kjempestorr
Fa: کارکس ریپاریا
Pl: Turzyca brzegowa
Ru: Осока береговая
Sv: Jättestarr, Vankkasara
Zh-tw: 澤生苔草
Zh-hant: 澤生苔草
Cy: Hesgen-y-dŵr fawr, Hesgen Braff-Dywysennog

Synonyms

• Carex crassa (Ehrh.)
• Carex acuta (Huds.)
• Carex riparia var. laevigata (Peterm.)
• Carex riparia subsp. gracilescens (Hartm. ex Andersson)
• Carex riparia var. claviformis (J.J.H.Schmidt)
• Carex riparia var. subgracilescens (Kük.)
• Carex secalina (Lapeyr.)
• Carex riparia f. reticulosa (Torges)
• Carex acuta var. sennenii (Pau ex Sennen)
• Carex riparia var. pseudopaludosa (Schur)
• Carex ruffa (Brot.)
• Carex riparia var. inferior (Peck)
• Carex riparia var. gracilescens ((Hartm. ex Andersson) Lange)
• Carex riparia var. ramosa (L.C.Lamb.)
• Carex riparia f. brevipalea (Neuman)
• Carex riparia var. humilis (R.Uechtr.)
• Carex riparia f. humilis ((R.Uechtr.) Neuman)
• Carex riparia f. flagelliformis (Waisb.)
• Carex riparia var. exaltata ((Peterm.) Nyman)
• Carex plumbea ((Wahlenb.) Willd.)
• Carex acuta var. rufa (L.)
• Carex exaltata (Peterm.)
• Carex riparia var. aristata (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex vesicaria subsp. plumbea (Wahlenb.)
• Carex riparia f. ramosa (Pamp.)
• Carex vesicaria var. plumbea (Wahlenb.)
• Carex riparia f. furcata (J.J.H.Schmidt)
• Carex acuta subsp. rufa ((L.) Ehrh.)
• Trasus riparius ((Curtis) Gray)
• Carex sennenii ((Pau ex Sennen) Sennen)
• Carex riparia f. multifurcata (J.J.H.Schmidt)
• Carex gracilescens ((Hartm. ex Andersson) Trautv.)
• Carex bifurca (Moench)
• Carex vacillans (Steud.)
• Carex striata (Gilib.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• New Zealand North (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by randovu (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by Clara Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by Clara Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 16, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Llandrich anna (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.

Leaf

Taken May 1, 2020 by Yveline Deguisne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2018 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Elzbieta JATOWT-LOMBAERT (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

Taken Dec 31, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Patrice Bracquart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 27, 2021 by Мозговой Роман (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Didier THUUS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 1995 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30019363-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2718117)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex riparia Curtis)

Specifications

Growth