Thin-spiked wood sedge (Carex strigosa, Fl. Angl., ed. 2: 411 (1778))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Huds.

Bibliography: Fl. Angl., ed. 2: 411 (1778)

Year: 1778

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to N. Iran

Description

Thin-spiked wood sedge, scientifically known as Carex strigosa, is a perennial plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family. This species was described by the renowned botanist William Hudson in the second edition of his work “Flora Anglica” in 1778.

Found extensively across Europe and stretching towards northern Iran, Carex strigosa thrives in moist, shaded environments typically found in woodlands and near streams. The plant often forms dense clusters, characterized by its slender, arching, and rough spikelets, which set it apart from similar species within the Carex genus.

The thin-spiked wood sedge is notable for its ecological contribution to understorey vegetation, offering a habitat and food source for various woodland creatures. Its ability to form large colonies helps in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, further underlining its importance in forest ecosystems.

Beyond its ecological role, Carex strigosa holds value in ornamental horticulture for naturalistic planting schemes, especially in shaded garden areas where it can form lush ground cover.

Understanding the habits and growth conditions of thin-spiked wood sedge can aid in conservation efforts and in the medicinal application of various Carex species, though specific uses of Carex strigosa in traditional medicine are less documented. The widespread nature of this sedge across diverse geographic regions highlights its adaptability and the intricate relationship it maintains with the ecosystem it inhabits.

Common Names

Deu: dünnährige segge
Dan: tyndakset star
Fra: laîche maigre
Nld: slanke zegge
Nob: smalaksstarr
Nno: smalaksstorr
Swe: smalaxstarr
Eng: thin-spiked wood-sedge
Pol: turzyca zgrzeblowata
Cym: hesgen ysbigog denau, hesgen-y-coed benfain
En: Thin-spiked wood sedge, Thin-spiked wood-sedge, Loose-spiked Wood-sedge
Cs: Ostřice hubená
Da: Tyndakset star
Nl: Slanke zegge
Fi: Pyökkisara
Fr: Laîche maigre, Laiche à épis grêles, Laîche à épis grêles, Laiche à poils raides, Laîche à poils raides, Laiche maigre
De: Dünnähren-Segge, Dünnährige Segge, Magere Segge, Schlanke Segge
Hu: Borostás sás
It: Carice delle frassinete
Nb: Smalaksstarr
Nn: Smalaksstorr
Pl: Turzyca zgrzebłowata, Turzyca zgrzeblowata
Ru: Осока сухощавая
Sv: Smalaxstarr
Cy: Hesgen-y-coed benfain, Hesgen Ysbigog Denau

Synonyms

• Carex leptostachya (Boiss.)
• Carex leptostachys (Ehrh. ex L.f.)
• Loxotrema leptostachys ((Ehrh. ex L.f.) Raf.)
• Carex godefrinii (Willemet)
• Trasus strigosus ((Huds.) Gray)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 2, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2022 by Sylvain Gaudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2021 by ursula burgun (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Flower

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 18, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Bark

Taken Jun 2, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 18, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2723315)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:302425-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex strigosa Huds.)

Specifications

Growth