Northwest territory sedge (Carex utriculata, W.J.Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 221 (1839))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Boott

Bibliography: W.J.Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 221 (1839)

Year: 1839

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. America to NE. Mexico, N. & EC. Europe to Japan

Description

The Northwest Territory Sedge, scientifically known as Carex utriculata, is a noteworthy member of the Cyperaceae family. First described in detail by Boott in W.J. Hooker’s “Flora Boreali-Americana” in 1839, this sedge has established its presence across a broad range of geographical locations.

Native to North America, Carex utriculata can be found from the northern reaches of Canada extending down to northeastern Mexico. It is not confined to the American continent; its range stretches across northern and eastern Europe, continuing through to Japan. This wide distribution underscores the plant’s adaptability to a variety of climatic conditions and habitats.

Northwest Territory Sedge is typically recognized by its robust and tufted form, growing in dense clumps that can dominate the wetland areas it frequently inhabits. This sedge often thrives in marshes, along stream banks, and in other moist, open environments where it plays a critical role in stabilizing soil and providing habitat for wildlife.

Beyond its ecological contributions, Carex utriculata is also of interest for its botanical characteristics. The plant exhibits distinctive features such as elongated, grass-like leaves, and inflorescences that bear numerous small, inconspicuous flowers enclosed in protective bracts. These attributes not only aid in identification but also highlight the sedge’s evolutionary adaptations to its surroundings.

In summary, the Northwest Territory Sedge, Carex utriculata, is a resilient and ecologically significant species with a vast geographic footprint. Its role in maintaining wetland stability and supporting biodiversity emphasizes its importance in the ecosystems where it flourishes.

Common Names

Eng: northwest territory sedge, beaked sedge, northern beaked sedge, bladder sedge, bottle sedge, bottle-shaped sedge, common yellow lake sedge, inflated sedge, small bottle sedge
Fra: carex utriculé
En: Northwest Territory sedge, Beaked sedge, Bottle sedge, Common yellow lake sedge, Northern beaked sedge, Bladder sedge, Bottle-shaped sedge, Inflated sedge, Small bottle sedge, Beaded Sedge
Ca: Càrex rostrat
Nl: Snavelzegge
Fr: Carex utriculé, Laiche à ampoules, Laîche à ampoules, Laiche à bec, Laîche à bec, Laiche en vessie, Laîche en vessie, Laiche à utricules contractés en bec, Laîche à utricules contractés en bec
De: Flaschen-Segge, Schnabel-Segge
It: Carice rigonfia
Lv: Knābja grīslis
Fa: کارکس آتریکالاتا
Ru: Осока мешочковая
: Northwest territory sedge

Synonyms

• Carex rhynchophysa (Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall.)
• Carex robusta (F.Nyl.)
• Carex inflata var. utriculata ((Boott) Druce)
• Carex bullata subsp. laevirostris ((Blytt ex Fr.) Fr.)
• Carex rostrata subsp. utriculata ((Boott) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex laevirostris f. gracilior (Kük.)
• Carex utriculata var. globosa (Olney)
• Carex utriculata var. sparsiflora (Dewey)
• Carex vesicaria var. utriculata ((Boott) Dewey)
• Carex ampullacea var. utriculata ((Boott) J.Carey)
• Carex utriculata var. minor (Boott)
• Carex bullata var. laevirostris (Blytt ex Fr.)
• Carex rostrata f. minor ((Boott) Kük.)
• Carex vesicaria subsp. lacustris (Th.Fr.)
• Carex laevirostris ((Blytt ex Fr.) Andersson)
• Carex rostrata var. utriculata ((Boott) L.H.Bailey)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (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)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jun 11, 2015 by EOL − Liana May (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2015 by EOL − Joe Walewski (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 5, 2015 by EOL − Robert L Curtis (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by EOL − Liana May (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2015 by EOL − Liana May (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 5, 2015 by EOL − Robert L Curtis (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 5, 2014 by EOL − podiceps (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2726268)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:47352-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex utriculata Boott)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.7

Ph minimum: 5.7