Oval sedge (Carex leporina, Sp. Pl.: 973 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 973 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Azores, NW. Africa, Temp. Eurasia, W. Canada to W. U.S.A.

Description

Oval sedge, scientifically known as Carex leporina, is a perennial species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. First described by L. in 1753 in his seminal work, Sp. Pl.: 973, this versatile sedge is notable for its wide geographical distribution and adaptability.

Thriving in various regions, Oval sedge can be found across the temperate zones of Eurasia, spanning from the temperate reaches of Europe to the expansive terrains of western Asia. Its range extends into Northwest Africa, including countries along the Mediterranean basin, where it contributes to the ecological diversity of wetland habitats.

In North America, Carex leporina has established populations from Western Canada down through the western United States. This distribution highlights the plant’s remarkable capacity to adapt to different climates and environmental conditions. Its presence across various continents underscores its ecological significance and adaptability.

The plant exhibits the typical morphological features of the sedge family, characterized by its narrow, grass-like leaves and clustered spikelets. Found commonly in moist, well-drained soils, Oval sedge plays an integral role in providing habitat and food sources for various wildlife species and contributes to soil stabilization and water filtration in its native ecosystems.

Overall, Carex leporina represents a key component of the flora in many temperate and subtropical regions, illustrating the biodiversity and ecological connectivity across different geographical landscapes.

Common Names

Dan: hare-star
Deu: hasenpfoten-segge
Eng: oval sedge, egg sedge, egg-bract sedge, oval-bract sedge, tracy’s sedge
Fra: carex des lièvres, laîche des lièvres, laîche patte-de-lièvre
Swe: harstarr
Nld: hazenzegge
Sme: njoammellukti
Cym: hesg hirgrwn, hesgen hirgron, hesgen hirgrwn, hesgen hirgylchaidd
En: Oval sedge, Tracy’s sedge, Egg sedge, Egg-bract sedge, Oval-bract sedge
Ca: Càrex oval
Da: Hare-star
Nl: Hazenzegge, Hazezegge
Fi: Jänönsara
Fr: Carex des lièvres, Laîche des lièvres, Laîche patte-de-lièvre, Laiche des lièvres, Laiche patte-de-lièvre
De: Hasenpfoten-Segge, Hasen-Segge, Hasenfuß-Segge, Hasenfußsegge, Hasensegge
It: Carice pi√© di lepre, Carice pié-di-lepre
Se: Njoammellukti
Sv: Harstarr
Cy: Hesg Hirgrwn, Hesgen Hirgron, Hesgen Hirgrwn, Hesgen Hirgylchaidd

Synonyms

• Carex leporina var. virescens (Andersson)
• Carex leporina var. ovata (Hartm.)
• Vignea ovalis ((Gooden.) Soják)
• Carex leporina f. monostachya (Peterm.)
• Carex nuda (Lam.)
• Carex leporina f. nana (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex ovalis var. argyroglochin ((Hornem.) De Langhe & Lambinon)
• Carex leporina var. malvernensis ((S.Gibson) Lousley)
• Carex leporina var. pallescens (Godr.)
• Carex leporina var. atrofusca (Christ)
• Carex argyroglochin (Hornem.)
• Caricina ovalis ((Gooden.) St.-Lag.)
• Carex malvernensis (S.Gibson)
• Vignea argyroglochin ((Hornem.) Rchb.)
• Carex leporina var. conferta (Arbost ex Merino)
• Carex leporina subsp. argyroglochin ((Hornem.) P.Fourn.)
• Carex leporina subsp. ovalis ((Gooden.) Maire)
• Carex leporina var. alpina (Gaudin)
• Carex leporina subsp. sicula ((Tineo) Nyman)
• Vignea leporina ((L.) Rchb.)
• Carex ovalis var. subfestiva ((Lange) O.Bolòs & Vigo)
• Carex leporina var. subfestiva (Lange)
• Carex leporina f. argyroglochin ((Hornem.) W.D.J.Koch)
• Carex leporina var. laucheana (Bornm.)
• Carex leporina f. robusta (Fiek)
• Carex cousturieri (Gand.)
• Vignea leporina var. alpina ((Gaudin) Dostál)
• Olotrema leporina ((L.) Raf.)
• Carex leporina var. capitata (Sond.)
• Carex leporina var. argyroglochin ((Hornem.) W.D.J.Koch)
• Carex leporina var. argyrolepis (Peterm.)
• Carex leporina var. nemoralis (Trevir.)
• Carex tracyi (Mack.)
• Carex leporina f. longibracteata (Peterm.)
• Carex leporina f. minor (Kuntze)
• Carex leporina var. radicans (Zabel ex Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex sicula (Tineo)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2021 by Doucet Monique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Naïs Delepierre (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 13, 2020 by Kriz David (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2022 by F. Manzano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by naomi sadlon (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 25, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2011 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Gérard LEVESLIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − LE ROY Jean-Pierre (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Gérard LEVESLIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Alain POIREL (cc-by-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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300627-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8285827)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex leporina L.)

Specifications

Growth