Family: Cyperaceae
Author: (Wahlenb.) Sm.
Bibliography: Engl. Bot. 35: t. 2516 (1813)
Year: 1813
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Carex
Vegetable: False
Observations: N. & E. Europe to Russian Far East, Subarctic America to Maine
Description
Looseflower alpine sedge, scientifically known as Carex rariflora, is a fascinating species within the family Cyperaceae. First described in the early 19th century and detailed in “Engl. Bot. 35: t. 2516 (1813)” by the botanist (Wahlenb.) Sm., this resilient plant has adapted to thrive in some of the harshest climates on Earth.
Carex rariflora is typically found in the northern and eastern parts of Europe, extending its range across the Russian Far East. It also has a notable presence in subarctic regions of North America, extending as far south as Maine. This wide distribution underscores its adaptability to a variety of cold and often challenging environments.
In its natural habitat, the Looseflower alpine sedge usually grows in alpine and subarctic climates, where it contributes significantly to the local flora. Known for its loose flower arrangement, this sedge adds to the biodiversity and ecological stability of these regions, often offering critical ground cover that helps prevent soil erosion and supports other plant and animal species.
Carex rariflora exhibits the characteristic resilience and hardiness typical of the Cyperaceae family, making it an interesting subject of study for botanists and ecologists alike.
Common Names
Swe: harsusara, myggstarr
Fin: harsusara
Eng: looseflower alpine sedge, mountain bog-sedge, loose-flowered alpine sedge, scantily-flowered sedge
Nob: snipestarr
Nno: snipestorr
Fra: carex rariflore
Sme: divrelukti
Cym: hesgen eurwerdd y mynydd
Iku: iviit, ivisuka, ivitsuskaka
Gla: seig ailpeach thearc
En: Looseflower alpine sedge, Loose-Flower Alpine Sedge, Loose-flowered alpine sedge, Mountain bog-sedge, Scantily-flowered sedge
Fi: Harsusara
Fr: Carex rariflore
Iu: Iviit, Ivisuka, Ivitsuskaka
Se: Divrelukti
Nb: Snipestarr
Nn: Snipestorr
Gd: Seig Ailpeach Thearc
Sv: Myggstarr, Harsusara
Cy: Hesgen eurwerdd y mynydd
Synonyms
- Carex limosa subsp. rariflora (Wahlenb.)
- Carex limosa var. rariflora ((Wahlenb.) Wahlenb.)
- Trasus rariflorus ((Wahlenb.) Gray)
- Carex rariflora f. elata (Holmb.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Québec (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sweden (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
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)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2729473)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:301872-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex rariflora (Wahlenb.) Sm.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Graminoid