Lesser tussock sedge (Carex diandra, Cent. Bot. Anmerk.: 57 (1781))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Schrank

Bibliography: Cent. Bot. Anmerk.: 57 (1781)

Year: 1781

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere, New Zealand

Description

Lesser tussock sedge, belonging to the family Cyperaceae, is a perennial plant that has captured the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, thanks to its unique ecological adaptation and wide geographical distribution. Scientifically known as Carex diandra, this sedge was first described and classified in 1781 by the renowned botanist Schrank in “Cent. Bot. Anmerk.: 57.”

This species is primarily found across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in a variety of wet environments such as marshes, meadows, and along the edges of streams and lakes. Its adaptability allows it to flourish in both nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils, highlighting its ecological versatility. Intriguingly, Carex diandra has also been documented in New Zealand, expanding its presence to the Southern Hemisphere.

Lesser tussock sedge is recognized for its dense tufts of narrow, grass-like leaves, which project an elegant, arching habit. The plant’s foliage can vary in color, presenting shades from light green to deep emerald, often creating lush, verdant displays in the landscapes it inhabits. During its blooming season, typically in late spring to early summer, Carex diandra produces delicate, inconspicuous flowers. These are arranged in spikelets, which are integral to its reproductive strategy.

This sedge plays a significant role in wetland ecosystems. It helps stabilize soil with its extensive root systems, reducing erosion and contributing to the health of riparian zones. Additionally, it provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including insects and birds, which rely on wetland vegetation for survival.

In summary, Carex diandra, or lesser tussock sedge, is a species of great botanical and ecological interest, offering substantial benefits to the environments it inhabits. Its broad distribution across the temperate Northern Hemisphere and New Zealand underscores its adaptability and importance within the Cyperaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: draht-segge, drahtsegge
Eng: lesser panicled sedge, lesser tussock sedge, lesser tussock-sedge, bog panicled sedge, two-stamen sedge
Dan: trindstænglet star
Nob: kjevlestarr
Nno: kjevlestorr
Fra: laîche arrondie, carex diandre, laiche à tige arrondie
Swe: liereäsara, trindstarr
Fin: liereäsara
Nld: ronde zegge
Sme: duolbalukti
Cym: hesgen dwybrigerog, hesgen rafunog fach, hesgen rafunog leiaf
En: Lesser tussock sedge, Lesser panicled sedge, Bog Panicled Sedge, Two-ridged Sedge, Two-stamened Sedge, Lesser tussock-sedge, Two-stamen sedge
Ca: Càrex diandre
Zh: 圆锥苔草, 圆锥薹草
Cs: Ostřice přioblá
Da: Trindstænglet star
Nl: Ronde zegge
Et: Ümartarn
Fi: Liereäsara
Fr: Laîche arrondie, Carex diandre, Laiche à tige arrondie, Laiche à deux étamines, Laîche à deux étamines, Laiche à tiges arrondies, Laîche à tiges arrondies, Laiche arrondie
De: Draht-Segge, Drahtsegge, Zweistaubblättrige Segge
Hu: Hengeres sás
It: Carice appuntita, Carice tondeggiante
Lv: Divputekšņu grīslis
Lt: Apvalioji viksva
Se: Duolbalukti
Nb: Kjevlestarr
Nn: Kjevlestorr
Fa: کارکس دیاندرا
Pl: Turzyca obła
Ru: Осока двутычинковая
Sv: Trindstarr, Liereäsara
Zh-tw: 圓錐苔草
Zh-hant: 圓錐苔草
Uk: Осока двотичинкова
Cy: Hesgen rafunog fach, Hesgen Dwybrigerog, Hesgen Rafunog Leiaf

Synonyms

• Carex teretiuscula (Gooden.)
• Carex pseudoparadoxa (S.Gibson)
• Carex teretiuscula f. simplicior (Sanio)
• Carex diandra f. conguesta (Lekav.)
• Carex diandra f. major ((W.D.J.Koch) Kük.)
• Vignea diandra ((Schrank) Soják)
• Caricina teretiuscula ((Gooden.) St.-Lag.)
• Carex diandra f. longibracteata (Chwast.)
• Carex teretiuscula var. ampla (L.H.Bailey)
• Carex diandra f. tenella ((C.L.Beckm.) Kük.)
• Carex paradoxa subsp. teretiuscula ((Gooden.) Wahlenb.)
• Carex diandra var. ramosa ((Boott) Fernald)
• Carex teretiuscula var. nana (Gaudin)
• Carex diandra var. ampla ((L.H.Bailey) Kük.)
• Carex teretiuscula var. major (W.D.J.Koch)
• Vignea teretiuscula ((Gooden.) Rchb.)
• Carex teretiuscula var. crassior (Hartm.)
• Carex teretiuscula var. ramosa (Boott)
• Carex bernardina (Parish)
• Carex paradoxa var. pseudoparadoxa ((S.Gibson) Nyman)
• Carex ehrhartiana (Hoppe ex Boott)
• Carex paniculata var. minor (Retz.)
• Carex paradoxa subsp. pseudoparadoxa ((S.Gibson) K.Richt.)
• Physiglochis teretiuscula ((Gooden.) Raf.)
• Carex paniculata var. teretiuscula ((Gooden.) Wahlenb.)
• Carex paniculata var. diandra ((Schrank) Fiori)
• Carex teretiuscula var. ehrhartiana ((Hoppe ex Boott) Nyman)
• Carex teretiuscula var. tenella (C.L.Beckm.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• New Zealand North (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)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Johanna Just (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by Easger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Karlo Müller (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by F. Manzano (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

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)

Flower

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

Taken May 18, 2019 by Jana Jana (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2019 by Jana Jana (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Fruit

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 Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

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

Taken May 19, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

© 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/2723156)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:299441-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex diandra Schrank)

Specifications

Growth