Grey sedge (Carex divulsa, W.Withering, Bot. Arr. Brit. Pl. ed. 2, 2: 1035 (1787))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Stokes

Bibliography: W.Withering, Bot. Arr. Brit. Pl. ed. 2, 2: 1035 (1787)

Year: 1787

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe, Medit. to C. Asia

Description

Grey Sedge (Carex divulsa)

Grey sedge, scientifically known as Carex divulsa, is a noteworthy species of the perennial plant family Cyperaceae. Described by Stokes in the 18th century and documented in W. Withering’s esteemed “Botanical Arrangement of British Plants”, the grey sedge has a significant historical footprint in the study of botany.

This resilient sedge is native to a wide geographic range that includes Macaronesia, parts of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and extends as far as Central Asia. Carex divulsa thrives in these diverse climates and landscapes, showcasing its adaptability and ecological importance across various habitats.

Renowned for its understated elegance, grey sedge exhibits long, slender leaves with a distinctive grey-green hue. The plant’s spikes, often displaying a slightly drooping appearance, lend a subtle grace to its overall form. This sedge is typically found in moist, well-drained soils, flourishing in both sunlit and partially shaded environments.

From an ecological perspective, grey sedge plays a critical role in its habitats, contributing to the stability and health of wetland ecosystems. It also provides shelter and food for various species of wildlife, adding to the biodiversity and robustness of the areas it inhabits.

In cultivation, grey sedge is appreciated for its low maintenance requirements and resilience, making it a suitable addition to naturalistic and sustainable garden designs. Its ability to withstand different growing conditions while maintaining aesthetic appeal makes it a versatile choice for landscape architects and gardeners alike.

Overall, Carex divulsa remains an enduring subject of botanical interest, continuing to be studied and celebrated for its ecological contributions and enduring beauty.

Common Names

Eng: grassland sedge, grey sedge, separated sedge
Dan: mellembrudt star
Deu: unterbrochenährige segge
Nld: groene bermzegge, ijle bermzegge, groene bermzegge subsp. divulsa
Fra: laîche écartée, carex à épis séparés, laiche à épis séparés, laîche à utricules divergents
Swe: långstarr
Cym: hesg llwyd, hesgen lwyd, hesgen lwydlas
En: Grey sedge, Grassland sedge, Separated sedge
Da: Mellembrudt star
Nl: Groene bermzegge, IJle bermzegge, Groene bermzegge subsp. divulsa
Fr: Laîche écartée, Carex à épis séparés, Laiche à épis séparés, Laîche à utricules divergents, Laîche à épis séparés, Laiche à utricules divergents, Laiche écartée
De: Unterbrochenährige Segge, Lockerährige Segge
It: Carice separata
Sv: Långstarr
Cy: Hesg Llwyd, Hesgen Lwyd, Hesgen Lwydlas

Synonyms

• Carex muricata (Desf.)
• Carex divulsa f. polycarpa ((Vollm.) Kük.)
• Carex divulsa f. guestphalica ((Rchb.) Kük.)
• Carex viridis var. divulsa ((Stokes) Spenn.)
• Carex divulsa var. javanica (Nelmes)
• Carex persica (Nelmes)
• Carex divulsa var. guestphalica ((Rchb.) F.W.Schultz ex Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex stellulata f. pseudodivulsa (F.W.Schultz)
• Carex divulsa f. angustifolia ((Podp.) Soó)
• Carex virens var. guestphalica ((Rchb.) Garcke)
• Carex muricata subsp. virens ((Lam.) Čelak.)
• Carex divulsa f. misera ((Kük. ex Vollm.) Kük.)
• Carex echinata var. pseudodivulsa ((F.W.Schultz) F.W.Schultz)
• Carex muricata subsp. divulsa ((Stokes) Wahlenb.)
• Carex muricata var. angustifolia (Podp.)
• Carex subramosa (Willd. ex Kunth)
• Carex guestphalica ((Rchb.) Boenn. ex O.Lang)
• Carex lumnitzeri ((Rouy) V.I.Krecz.)
• Carex divulsa var. virens ((Lam.) Steud.)
• Carex divulsa var. approximata (Legrand)
• Vignea divulsa ((Stokes) Rchb.)
• Vignea persica ((Nelmes) Soják)
• Carex spicata subsp. lumnitzeri ((Rouy) Soó)
• Carex muricata var. virens ((Lam.) Rchb.)
• Carex canescens (Huds.)
• Carex muricata var. nemorosa (Gaudin)
• Vignea guestphalica (Rchb.)
• Caricina divulsa ((Stokes) St.-Lag.)
• Carex divulsa subsp. virens ((Lam.) Nyman)
• Carex divulsa var. misera (Kük. ex Vollm.)
• Carex divulsa var. congesta (Gren.)
• Carex muricata var. divulsa ((Stokes) Wahlenb.)
• Vignea virens ((Lam.) Rchb.)
• Carex divulsa var. polycarpa (Vollm.)
• Carex muricata var. subramosa (Neilr.)
• Carex muricata subsp. lumnitzeri ((Rouy) Soó)
• Carex virens var. divulsa ((Stokes) F.W.Schultz)
• Carex virens var. major (G.Mey.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2019 by Brunello Pierini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Hans Kraak (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 29, 2020 by Kathryn Klinger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2020 by Γιώργος (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by corine feeny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Loup Garou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2019 by Sabine Hähnlein (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 9, 2022 by Marek Durajczyk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by j B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Loïc Tulasne (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by corine feeny (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2020 by Creyaufmüller Wolfgang (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Marithé (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu SINET (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 31, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Louis CHEYPE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© 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:299519-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2722914)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex divulsa Stokes)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 6