Lyngbye’s sedge (Carex lyngbyei, G.C.Oeder & al. (eds.), Fl. Dan.: t. 1888 (1827))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Hornem.

Bibliography: G.C.Oeder & al. (eds.), Fl. Dan.: t. 1888 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Greenland, N. Europe, Russian Far East to N. Korea and W. U.S.A.

Description

Lyngbye’s sedge, known scientifically as Carex lyngbyei, is a notable perennial plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family. Recognized for its robust adaptation to various cold and temperate climates, this sedge is prominent in the plant communities of Greenland, Northern Europe, the Russian Far East, Northern Korea, and the Western United States.

First described in the comprehensive botanical work “Flora Danica” in 1827 by G.C. Oeder and colleagues, with subsequent attribution to Hornem, Lyngbye’s sedge has a well-documented history. The plant thrives in wetland habitats, often found along riverbanks, estuaries, and coastal marshes—a testament to its resilience and ecological significance in these regions.

The physical characteristics of Carex lyngbyei include dense tufts of grass-like foliage, with long leaves and sturdy stems. The sedge forms extensive root networks, contributing to its role in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, making it an essential plant for wetland conservation efforts.

Ecologically, Lyngbye’s sedge provides critical habitat and food for various wildlife species. Its presence supports biodiversity, offering shelter to insects, amphibians, birds, and small mammals. Moreover, this sedge plays a vital role in nutrient cycling within its ecosystems, maintaining the health and balance of wetland environments.

In summary, Carex lyngbyei, or Lyngbye’s sedge, is a versatile and ecologically valuable plant species with a broad geographical range. Its importance in habitat conservation and environmental stability underscores the significance of protecting and studying this resilient sedge to support the health of wetland ecosystems across its native territories.

Common Names

Eng: lyngbye’s sedge
Swe: islandsstarr
Fra: carex de lyngbye
Nob: gjølstarr
Nno: gjølstorr
Sme: ivgulukti
En: Lyngbye’s sedge
Fi: Islanninsara
Fr: Carex de Lyngbye
Is: Gulstör
Se: Ivgulukti
Nb: Gjølstarr
Nn: Gjølstorr
Fa: کارکس بینگبی
Ru: Осока скрытоплодная
Sv: Islandsstarr

Synonyms

• Carex cryptocarpa (C.A.Mey.)
• Carex filipendula var. littoralis (Drejer)
• Carex salina var. robusta (L.H.Bailey)
• Carex capillipes (Drejer)
• Carex cryptocarpa var. pumila (L.H.Bailey)
• Carex filipendula var. concolor (Drejer)
• Carex cryptocarpa var. variegata ((Drejer) Britton)
• Carex maritima subsp. lyngbyei ((Hornem.) Nyman)
• Carex lyngbyei var. prionocarpa ((Franch.) Kük.)
• Temnemis scouleri ((Torr.) Raf.)
• Carex lyngbyei subsp. cryptocarpa ((C.A.Mey.) Hultén)
• Carex lyngbyei var. cryptocarpa ((C.A.Mey.) Hultén)
• Carex lyngbyei subsp. prionocarpa ((Franch.) Kitag.)
• Carex filipendula var. variegata (Drejer)
• Carex salina var. concolor ((Drejer) Almq.)
• Carex steenstrupiana (Liebm.)
• Carex behringensis (Gand.)
• Carex salina f. filipendula ((Drejer) Almq.)
• Carex macounii (A.Benn.)
• Carex lyngbyei var. robusta ((L.H.Bailey) Cronquist)
• Carex maritima subsp. cryptocarpa ((C.A.Mey.) K.Richt.)
• Carex riabushinskii (Kom.)
• Carex lyngbyei var. variegata ((Drejer) Kük.)
• Carex maritima subsp. capillipes ((Drejer) K.Richt.)
• Carex romanzowiana (Cham. ex Steud.)
• Carex filipendula (Drejer)
• Carex lyngbyei var. capillipes ((Drejer) Kük.)
• Carex lyngbyei var. gigas (Hultén)
• Carex lyngbyei subsp. phaenocarpa (Akiyama)
• Carex prionocarpa (Franch.)
• Carex × halophila subsp. cryptocarpa ((C.A.Mey.) Nyman)
• Carex scouleri (Torr.)
• Carex qualicumensis (L.H.Bailey)
• Carex laticuspis (Franch.)
• Carex pedunculifera (Kom.)
• Carex salina (Boott)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Washington (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 12, 1995 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 12, 1995 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 12, 1995 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2016 by EOL − mbalame99 (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 12, 2016 by EOL − mbalame99 (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Jul 12, 1995 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Stensvold, Mary Clay (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Stensvold, Mary Clay (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© 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/2725520)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300794-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex lyngbyei Hornem.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Rhizomatous

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.0

Ph minimum: 5.0