Silvery sedge (Carex canescens, Sp. Pl.: 974 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 974 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere, New Guinea, S. South America

Description

Silvery sedge, botanically known as Carex canescens, is an intriguing member of the Cyperaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 publication Species Plantarum, this perennial plant holds an esteemed place in both botany and horticulture.

The geographical distribution of Carex canescens spans across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with notable occurrences in New Guinea and Southern South America. Such a wide range suggests the plant’s adaptability to various climatic conditions, provided they fall within the cooler end of the temperature spectrum.

Characteristically, Silvery sedge thrives in moist environments, often found along the edges of wetlands, bogs, and marshy areas. The plant’s unique ecological preferences make it an essential component of these habitats, playing a significant role in maintaining the delicate balance of wetland ecosystems. Its foliage, adorned with a silvery hue, gives the plant its common name and adds a touch of elegance to the landscape.

Carex canescens exhibits a clumping growth habit, forming dense tussocks that can help in soil stabilization and preventing erosion. This attribute, along with its aesthetic appeal, makes it a valuable choice for ecological restoration projects and ornamental gardening in regions that simulate its natural habitat.

Given its extensive distribution and ecological significance, Silvery sedge represents a remarkable example of botanical resilience and adaptability. Its presence across different continents highlights both the widespread versatility of the Cyperaceae family and the intricate interconnectedness of global ecosystems.

Common Names

Deu: graue segge
Dan: grå star
Eng: silvery sedge, hoary sedge, white sedge, gray bog sedge, gray sedge, grey sedge, pale sedge
Nor: beenstar, graastar
Swe: graastar, gråstarr, harmaasara
Nob: gråstarr
Nno: gråstorr
Fin: harmaasara
Nld: zompzegge
Fra: carex blanchâtre, laîche blanchâtre
Sme: ráneslukti
Cym: hesg penwyn, hesgen benwen
En: Silvery sedge, Hoary Sedge, Silver sedge, Gray Bog Sedge, White Sedge, Gray sedge, Grey sedge, Pale sedge
Be: Асака шэраватая
Ca: Càrex canescent
Zh: 白山苔草, 白山薹草
Cs: Ostřice šedavá
Da: Grå Star
Nl: Zompzegge
Et: Hallikas tarn
Fi: Harmaasara
Fr: Carex blanchâtre, Laîche blanchâtre, Laiche blanchâtre, Laiche courte, Laîche courte, Laiche tronquée, Laîche tronquée
De: Grau-Segge, Graue Segge, Eisengraues Riedgras, Graugrüne Segge
Hu: Szürkés sás
It: Carice cenerina
Lv: Iesirmais grīslis
Lt: Žiloji viksva
Se: Ráneslukti
No: Beenstar, Graastar
Nb: Gråstarr
Nn: Gråstorr
Fa: کارکس کانسنس
Pl: Turzyca siwa
Ru: Осока сероватая
Sv: Gråstarr, Graastar, Harmaasara
Zh-tw: 白山苔草
Zh-hant: 白山苔草
Tr: Beyaz ayak otu
Uk: Осока попелясто-сіра
Cy: Hesg Penwyn, Hesgen Benwen

Synonyms

• Caricina canescens ((L.) St.-Lag.)
• Vignea canescens ((L.) Rchb.)
• Carex canescens f. fulvescens (Holmb.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Falkland Is. (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (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)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Azores (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2006 by Tela Botanica − David GENOUD (cc-by-sa)

Flower

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

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 6, 2020 by Holdtman Ivar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by K. O. Bodendieck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by eigenraam kees (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:299030-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2722942)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex canescens L.)

Specifications

Growth