Hair sedge (Carex capillaris, Sp. Pl.: 977 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 977 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Hair Sedge, scientifically known as Carex capillaris, is a remarkable species within the Cyperaceae family. First cataloged by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work, Species Plantarum, in 1753, this plant has intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for centuries.

Carex capillaris thrives in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, indicating its resilience and adaptability to cooler climates. It is commonly found in moist, boggy environments, where its slender, hair-like stems can flourish. The plant’s distinctive morphology includes fine, narrow leaves and delicate flowering spikes, which can be easily overlooked due to their subtlety and grace.

The hair sedge plays an important role in its native ecosystems. It often contributes to the stabilizing of soil in wetland areas, preventing erosion and maintaining the habitat for a variety of wildlife. Its presence is also an indicator of a healthy, balanced ecosystem, making it a subject of interest for environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.

In summary, Carex capillaris is not just a plant of aesthetic and botanical interest but also of ecological importance. Its ability to thrive in the harsh conditions of subarctic and temperate regions makes it a resilient and essential component of those ecosystems. The study and preservation of Hair Sedge can offer insights into the health of the environments it inhabits, making it a valuable species in both scientific research and environmental conservation.

Common Names

Deu: haar-segge, haarstielige segge
Eng: hair sedge, hair-like sedge
Swe: haar-starr, hapsisara, hårstarr
Nor: haar-starr
Fin: hapsisara
Nob: hårstarr
Nno: hårstorr
Fra: carex capillaire, laiche capillaire
Sme: vuoktalukti, vuoktaguodja
Cym: hesg meindwf, hesgen feindwf, hesgen lechwedd y mynydd
En: Hair sedge, Hair-like sedge, HAIRLIKE SEDGE
Be: Асака валасавідная
Ca: Càrex capil·lar
Zh: 细秆苔草, 细秆薹草
Cs: Ostřice vláskovitá
Et: Jõhvtarn
Fi: Hapsisara
Fr: Carex capillaire, Laiche capillaire, Laiche à feuilles capillaires, Laîche à feuilles capillaires, Laîche capillaire
De: Haarstiel-Segge, Haar-Segge, Haarstielige Segge
It: Carice capillare
Lv: Matveida grīslis
Se: Vuoktalukti, Vuoktaguodja
No: Haar-starr
Nb: Hårstarr
Nn: Hårstorr
Pl: Turzyca włosowata
Ru: Осока волосовидная
Sv: Hårstarr, Haar-starr, Hapsisara
Zh-tw: 細稈苔草
Zh-hant: 細稈苔草
Uk: Осока волосинчаста
Cy: Hesg Meindwf, Hesgen Feindwf, Hesgen Lechwedd y Mynydd

Synonyms

• Loxotrema capillaris ((L.) Raf.)
• Carex capillaris var. minima (Beck)
• Carex capillaris var. alpestris (Andersson)
• Carex plena (Clairv.)
• Carex capillaris f. typica (B.Boivin)
• Trasus capillaris ((L.) Gray)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Pascal AMBLARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Pascal AMBLARD (cc-by-sa)

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 Sep 19, 1993 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 19, 2020 by gene jones (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

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

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

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

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

Taken Aug 6, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Alain POIREL (cc-by-sa)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2729936)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30074480-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex capillaris L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.4

Ph minimum: 5.8

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2