Softleaf sedge (Carex disperma, Amer. J. Sci. Arts 8: 266 (1824))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Dewey

Bibliography: Amer. J. Sci. Arts 8: 266 (1824)

Year: 1824

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. & Subarctic Northern Hemisphere

Description

Softleaf sedge, scientifically known as Carex disperma, is a plant species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. Described and detailed into scientific literature by Dewey in 1824 through the American Journal of Science and Arts, this sedge has secured its place among the varied flora of temperate and subarctic regions in the Northern Hemisphere.

Characterized by its distinctive soft, drooping leaves, the softleaf sedge is a perennial that thrives in moist, shaded environments, often found along the edges of wetlands, bogs, and forested waterways. Its capacity to spread through rhizomes makes it a resilient, ground-covering plant that contributes to the stabilization of soil and prevention of erosion in these delicate ecosystems.

The plant’s slender stems, bearing clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers, distinguish it in areas where other vegetation struggles to dominate. These flowers give way to tiny, carex-specific fruit, which facilitate the sedge’s propagation through wind and water dispersal.

Softleaf sedge’s presence across a wide range of northern geographical areas underscores its adaptability to various climatic conditions, predominantly cooler environments where it forms a crucial part of the understory vegetation. This sedge serves not only ecological purposes but also offers aesthetic appeal with its graceful foliage, enhancing the natural beauty and biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

With its deep roots in both botany and ecological studies, Carex disperma remains a subject of interest for researchers and plant enthusiasts alike, symbolizing the intricate balance and interdependence inherent in natural habitats.

Common Names

Eng: softleaf sedge, two-seeded sedge, short-leaved sedge, soft-leaved sedge, two-seeded bog sedge
Lav: divseklu grislis
Fin: hentosara
Swe: hentosara, spädstarr
Pol: turzyca delikatna
Nob: veikstarr
Nno: veikstorr
Fra: carex disperme
Sme: sileslukti
En: Softleaf sedge, Two-seeded sedge, Soft-Leaf Sedge, SOFTLEAVED SEDGE, Two-seed sedge, Short-leaved sedge, Soft-leaved sedge, Two-seeded bog sedge
Be: Асака двухсемянная
Zh: 二籽薹草
Et: Õrn tarn
Fi: Hentosara
Fr: Carex disperme
De: Zarte Segge
Ko: 가는사초
Lv: Divsēklu grīslis, Divseklu grislis
Se: Sileslukti
Nb: Veikstarr
Nn: Veikstorr
Fa: کارکس دیسپرما
Pl: Turzyca szczupła, Turzyca delikatna
Ru: Осока двусемянная
Sv: Spädstarr, Hentosara

Synonyms

• Carex tenella (Schkuhr)
• Carex blyttii (F.Nyl.)
• Carex nakaii (H.Lév.)
• Carex tenella var. misera (Franch.)
• Carex tenella var. brachycarpa (Kük.)
• Carex tenella var. nakaii ((H.Lév.) H.Lév.)
• Carex dominii (H.Lév. & Vaniot)
• Carex inops (Kunze)
• Vignea disperma ((Dewey) Raf.)
• Carex misera (Franch.)
• Carex gracilis (A.Gray)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Korea (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Dakota (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)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 16, 2020 by Alex Hacker (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 4, 2010 by EOL − Andrew Hipp (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2723500)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:299487-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex disperma Dewey)

Specifications

Growth