Pale sedge (Carex pallescens, Sp. Pl.: 977 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 977 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Asia, E. Canada to NC. & NE. U.S.A.

Description

The Pale sedge, scientifically known as Carex pallescens, is a significant species within the family Cyperaceae. First described by the renowned taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work Species Plantarum in 1753, this plant has garnered recognition for its extensive geographic distribution and its ecological importance.

Carex pallescens can be commonly found across a vast expanse that includes Europe, Central Asia, Eastern Canada, and the northeastern and north-central regions of the United States. Its adaptability to a variety of temperate climates highlights its ecological versatility.

Characteristics of the Pale sedge include its distinctive pale green leaves and dense, tufted growth habit. This perennial sedge typically favors moist, shaded environments such as meadows, woodlands, and riverbanks, where it plays an integral role in stabilizing soil and supporting local biodiversity. The inflorescence of Carex pallescens consists of small, inconspicuous flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer, contributing to the plant’s understated beauty and charm.

Ecologically, the Pale sedge serves as an important species in various habitats. It provides food and shelter for a diverse array of wildlife, including insects, birds, and small mammals. The plant’s root system helps prevent soil erosion, making it a valuable component in habitat restoration and conservation projects.

Traditionally, members of the Cyperaceae family, including Pale sedge, have been utilized in various cultural and practical applications, although Carex pallescens itself is more commonly noted for its ecological rather than its economic or medicinal uses.

In summary, Carex pallescens—the Pale sedge—is a modest yet vital species that contributes to the health and stability of the ecosystems it inhabits. Its widespread distribution across continents underscores the plant’s ecological significance and adaptive resilience.

Common Names

Dan: bleg star
Deu: bleiche segge
Eng: pale sedge, pale green sedge, pale meadow sedge
Nor: bleek-star
Nob: bleikstarr
Nno: bleikstorr
Nld: bleke zegge
Swe: blekstarr, kalvassara
Fin: kalvassara
Fra: laîche pâle, carex pâle, laiche pâle
Sme: šovkeslukti
Cym: hesg gwelw, hesgen welw, hesgen welwlas
En: Pale sedge, Pale green sedge, Pale meadow sedge
Bg: Бледа острица
Ca: Càrex pal·lescent
Cs: Ostřice bledavá
Da: Bleg Star
Nl: Bleke zegge
Et: Kahkjas tarn
Fi: Kalvassara
Fr: Laîche pâle, Carex pâle, Laiche pâle
De: Bleich-Segge, Bleiche Segge
It: Carice verde-pallida
Lv: Bālganais grīslis
Se: Šovkeslukti
No: Bleek-star
Nb: Bleikstarr
Nn: Bleikstorr
Pl: Turzyca blada
Ru: Осока бледноватая
Sv: Blekstarr, Kalvassara
Cy: Hesgen welw, Hesg Gwelw, Hesgen Welwlas

Synonyms

• Carex pallida (Salisb.)
• Carex pallescens f. pygmaea (Lackow.)
• Carex leucantha (Schur)
• Trasus pallescens ((L.) Gray)
• Carex pallescens var. orophila (Briq.)
• Carex pallescens subvar. macrocarpa (Briq.)
• Carex pallescens var. undulata ((Kunze) J.Carey)
• Carex pallescens var. macrocarpa ((Briq.) Rouy)
• Carex undulata (Kunze)
• Carex pallescens var. subglabra (Beck)
• Carex pallescens var. alpestris (Kohts)
• Carex pallescens var. luxuriosa (Kük.)
• Carex pallescens f. glaberrima (K.Koch)
• Carex pallescens var. subsilvatica (Kük.)
• Carex pallescens f. cylindrica (Peterm.)
• Carex pallescens f. elatior (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex pallescens f. brevibracteata (Neuman)
• Carex pallescens f. alpestris (Schur)
• Carex pallescens var. chalcodeta ((V.I.Krecz.) Ö.Nilsson)
• Carex pallescens var. leucantha ((Schur) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex chalcodeta (V.I.Krecz.)
• Carex pallescens var. neogaea (Fernald)
• Carex tymphaea (Formánek)
• Carex microstoma (Franch.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Maine (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (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)

Fruit

Taken Apr 19, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (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)

Leaf

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Re He (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2022 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2019 by marie claude claereboudt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 19, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 20, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Aug 3, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Louis CHEYPE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

© 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:301409-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2726592)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex pallescens L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 3