Host sedge (Carex hostiana, Cat. Pl. Horti Monsp.: 88 (1813))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: DC.

Bibliography: Cat. Pl. Horti Monsp.: 88 (1813)

Year: 1813

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, E. Canada to NE. U.S.A.

Description

Host sedge, scientifically known as Carex hostiana, is a notable species within the family Cyperaceae. First described in 1813 by DC. in “Cat. Pl. Horti Monsp.”, this perennial plant is primarily found across a broad geographical range, stretching from Europe to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

Carex hostiana thrives in a variety of habitats, particularly favoring moist, calcareous soils typically found in fens, wet meadows, and other damp grasslands. Its presence is often an indicator of high-quality natural wetland environments, making it an important species for ecological surveys and conservation efforts.

This sedge is characterized by its slender, wiry stems and narrow, grass-like leaves. The plant typically produces delicate, clustered spikes of tiny, brownish flowers, which contribute to its understated beauty. Due to its subtle nature, it might not always capture immediate attention, but it plays a vital role in supporting the biodiversity of its native habitats by providing habitats and food for various insect and bird species.

The distribution of Carex hostiana across Europe and North America underlines its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, from the temperate zones of Europe to the cooler regions of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. This wide distribution also highlights the interconnectedness of wetland ecosystems across these continents.

In summary, Host sedge is a versatile and ecologically significant plant that supports a wide range of wildlife. Its distribution, extending across continents, underscores its adaptability and importance within its native landscapes. Whether in Europe or North America, Carex hostiana continues to play a crucial role in wetland ecology, making it a species worthy of attention and conservation.

Common Names

Deu: hosts segge, saum-segge
Dan: skede-star
Nld: blonde zegge
Fra: carex de host, laîche blonde, laiche de host
Nob: engstarr
Nno: engstorr
Eng: host sedge, tawny sedge, host’s sedge
Swe: hostinsara, ängsstarr, gulstarr
Fin: hostinsara
Sme: niitolukti
Cym: hesgen dywell-felen, hesgen dywyll-felen, hesgen felynllwyd
En: Host sedge, Host’s Sedge, Tawny Sedge
Be: Асака Хоста
Cs: Ostřice Hostova
Da: Skede-star
Nl: Blonde zegge
Et: Ääristarn
Fi: Hostinsara
Fr: Laîche blonde, Carex de Host, Laiche de Host, Laiche blonde, Laîche de Host, Laiche fauve, Laîche fauve
De: Saum-Segge, Saumsegge, Hosts Segge
It: Carice di Host
Lv: Hosta grīslis
Se: Niitolukti
Nb: Engstarr
Nn: Engstorr
Pl: Turzyca Hosta
Sv: Ängsstarr, Hostinsara, Gulstarr
Cy: Hesgen felynllwyd, Hesgen Dywell-Felen, Hesgen Dywyll-Felen

Synonyms

• Carex fulva (Host)
• Carex hornschuchiana var. angustifolia (Gaudin)
• Carex hornschuchiana var. laurentiana (Fernald & Wiegand)
• Carex hornschuchiana subsp. eckeroeensis ((H.Lindb. & Palmgr.) Lindm.)
• Carex biformis var. fertilis (F.W.Schultz)
• Carex hornschuchiana f. approximata (Murr)
• Carex hornschuchiana f. atrata (Buchenau)
• Carex hornschuchiana f. discolor (Vollm.)
• Carex armena (Boiss.)
• Carex × fulva var. subsalsa ((Nyman) Nyman)
• Carex halophila (Heuff.)
• Carex hornschuchiana f. longibracteata (Peterm.)
• Carex hornschuchiana var. fulva (Nyman)
• Carex hornschuchiana f. remota (Peterm.)
• Carex hornschuchiana (Hoppe)
• Carex hornschuchiana var. eckeroeensis (H.Lindb. & Palmgr.)
• Carex biformis (F.W.Schultz)
• Carex hornschuchiana subsp. subsalsa ((Nyman) K.Richt.)
• Carex speirostachya (Sw. ex Sm.)
• Carex greeniana (Dewey)
• Carex fulvescens (Mack.)
• Carex hornschuchiana f. subdistans (Neuman)
• Trasus fulvus (Gray)
• Carex trigona (All.)
• Carex hostiana var. eckeroeensis ((H.Lindb. & Palmgr.) Hyl.)
• Trasus hostianus ((DC.) Gray)
• Carex subsalsa (Nyman)
• Carex hostiana var. laurentiana ((Fernald & Wiegand) Fernald & Wiegand)
• Carex distans var. hostiana ((DC.) Fiori)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Maja Thebee (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 22, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Maja Thebee (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 25, 2018 by lucius officinalis (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken May 31, 1851 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 1848 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

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

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (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:300208-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2728963)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex hostiana DC.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 2