Star sedge (Carex echinata, Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 76 (1770))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Murray

Bibliography: Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 76 (1770)

Year: 1770

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere, Sumatera, New Guinea, SE. Australia, New Zealand

Description

The Star sedge, scientifically known as Carex echinata, is a versatile and widespread species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. First described by Murray in 1770 in “Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 76,” this plant has earned its common name from the distinctive appearance of its clustered spikelets, which are often likened to little stars.

Star sedge is predominantly found in temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in a variety of habitats such as wetlands, meadows, and forest edges. Beyond these areas, it has extended its reach to include regions such as Sumatera, New Guinea, southeastern Australia, and New Zealand. This wide distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to different environmental conditions.

Characterized by its dense clumps of fine, grass-like foliage, Star sedge plays an essential role in its ecosystems. It provides cover and food for wildlife, contributing to the biodiversity of the areas it inhabits. The inflorescences of Carex echinata are composed of several star-shaped clusters, which not only add to its ornamental value but also facilitate its identification among other sedges.

Star sedge’s ecological significance is matched by its practical benefits. It is often utilized in ecological restoration projects, particularly in wetland areas where its roots help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. Gardeners and landscape designers may also appreciate its aesthetic appeal and its ability to thrive in moist, shaded spots where many other plants might struggle.

Overall, Star sedge (Carex echinata) represents an important component of the flora in many temperate regions around the world. Its resilience and ecological contributions make it a valuable species for both natural habitats and managed landscapes.

Common Names

Deu: igel-segge
Eng: star sedge, bristle-fruited sedge, large-fruited star sedge, little prickly sedge, prickly sedge, spiny star sedge, stellate sedge
Dan: stjerne-star
Fra: laîche étoilée, carex étoilé, laiche hérisson
Nld: sterzegge
Nob: stjernestarr
Nno: stjernestorr
Swe: stjärnstarr, tähtisara
Fin: tähtisara
Sme: nástelukti
Ita: carice stellare
Cym: hesgen bigog leiaf, hesgen seraidd, sêr-hesg, sêr-hesgen
En: Star sedge, Prickly sedge, Bristle-fruited sedge, Large-fruited star sedge, Little prickly sedge, Spiny star sedge, Stellate sedge
Bg: Ежовидна острица
Ca: Càrex estelat, Càrex estel·lat
Cs: Ostřice ježatá
Da: Stjerne-Star
Nl: Sterzegge
Et: Tähttarn
Fi: Tähtisara
Fr: Laîche Étoilée, Carex étoilé, Laiche hérisson, Laiche en étoile, Laîche en étoile, Laiche étoilée, Laiche-hérisson, Laîche-hérisson, Laiche en petite étoile, Laîche en petite étoile
De: Igel-Segge, Stern-Segge, Igelfrüchtige Segge
Hu: Töviskés sás
It: Carice stellare
Lv: Aslapu grīslis
Lt: Žvaigždėtoji viksva
Se: Nástelukti
No: Stjernestarr
Nb: Stjernestarr
Nn: Stjernestorr
Fa: کارکس اچیناتا
Pl: Turzyca gwiazdkowata
Ru: Осока ежисто-колючая
Sv: Stjärnstarr, Tähtisara
Uk: Осока їжакова
Cy: Sêr-hesgen, Hesgen Bigog Leiaf, Hesgen Seraidd, Sêr-Hesg

Synonyms

• Vignea echinata ((Murray) Fourr.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New York (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (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)
• Palestine (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Harald Thingelstad (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 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

Flower

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Jindřich Jindřich (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2022 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by Luksic Ana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Harald Thingelstad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Harald Thingelstad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Jindřich Jindřich (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2018 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken May 26, 2012 by EOL − Michael Wunderli (cc-by)

Other

Taken May 31, 1854 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 1851 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 1854 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Marc RINGENBACH (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Louis CHEYPE (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 24, 2010 by EOL − Andrew Gardner (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/2726894)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:46120-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex echinata Murray)

Specifications

Growth