Sheathed sedge (Carex vaginata, Flora 4: 557 (1821))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Tausch

Bibliography: Flora 4: 557 (1821)

Year: 1821

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

The sheathed sedge, scientifically known as Carex vaginata, is a distinctive member of the Cyperaceae family and is primarily distributed across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This perennial sedge thrives in a variety of habitats, often prospering in moist environments such as wetlands, marshes, and the edges of freshwater bodies. Its presence is a common sight across northern Europe, Asia, and North America where cool and temperate climatic conditions prevail.

Carex vaginata exhibits a characteristic growth form typical of the sedge genus, with its stems, or culms, arising in dense clumps from a network of creeping rhizomes. The plant’s leaves are long, slender, and stiff, encased in sheaths that are a defining feature of this species—hence the common name “sheathed sedge.” This particular structure not only supports the plant but also affords it some protection against environmental stresses.

Flowering primarily occurs in the spring and early summer, during which the sedge produces clustered spikelets. These flowers are wind-pollinated, following a strategy common to many members of the Cyperaceae family, allowing Carex vaginata to successfully reproduce across its wide range. Fruiting is marked by the production of small, nut-like achenes that are easily dispersed by both wind and water, facilitating the plant’s widespread distribution.

Ensuring soil stability and contributing to the biodiversity of wetland ecosystems, Carex vaginata plays a vital ecological role. It provides habitat and food for numerous wildlife species, including certain insects, birds, and small mammals. Its robust growth and adaptability make it an important plant for maintaining the health and sustainability of the ecosystems in which it resides.

The first detailed description of Carex vaginata was provided by Tausch in 1821, published in the fourth volume of the comprehensive botanical reference “Flora.” This foundational work has contributed significantly to the botanical understanding and classification of many plant species, including this noteworthy sedge.

In summary, the sheathed sedge (Carex vaginata) is an enduring and ecologically significant species, deeply interwoven with the fabric of temperate Northern Hemisphere wetlands. Its unique structural adaptations and ecological contributions underscore its importance within the Cyperaceae family and the broader plant communities it inhabits.

Common Names

Deu: scheiden-segge
Eng: sheathed sedge
Swe: slidstarr, tuppisara
Nob: slirestarr
Nno: slirestorr
Fin: tuppisara
Pol: turzyca luznokwiatowa
Fra: carex engaîné, laiche engainante
Sme: dohppalukti
Cym: gwain-hesgen, hesg gweiniog, hesgen weiniog
Iku: iivisuka, iviit, ivitsuskaka
En: Sheathed sedge
Be: Асака похвенная
Zh: 少花薹草
Cs: Ostřice pochvatá
Et: Tupptarn
Fi: Tuppisara
Fr: Carex engaîné, Laiche engainante, Laiche à feuilles engainantes, Laîche à feuilles engainantes, Laiche à gaines, Laîche à gaines, Laîche engainante
De: Scheiden-Segge
Iu: Iivisuka, Iviit, Ivitsuskaka
It: Carice guainata
Lv: Makstainais grīslis
Lt: Makštinė viksva
Se: Dohppalukti
Nb: Slirestarr
Nn: Slirestorr
Fa: کارکس واجیناتا
Pl: Turzyca luźnokwiatowa, Turzyca luznokwiatowa
Ru: Осока влагалищная
Sv: Slidstarr, Tuppisara
Uk: Осока піхвова
Cy: Hesgen weiniog, Gwain-Hesgen, Hesg Gweiniog

Synonyms

• Carex vaginata f. distracta (Norm.)
• Carex panicea subsp. vaginata ((Tausch) Rouy)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 20, 2020 by isabelle Thibaut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2020 by isabelle Thibaut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Fruit

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

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

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

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Leaf

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Guillaume Sanchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Guillaume Sanchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2020 by Tim Behrens (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2020 by Tim Behrens (cc-by-sa)

Bark

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

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

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

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

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

Other

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

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:302842-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2725816)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex vaginata Tausch)

Specifications

Growth