True fox sedge (Carex vulpina, Sp. Pl.: 973 (1753))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 973 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Xinjiang

Description

True fox sedge, scientifically known as Carex vulpina, is a resilient and adaptable member of the Cyperaceae family. This perennial plant is widely distributed, with its natural habitat stretching from Europe all the way to the Xinjiang region. Named and first described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753, Carex vulpina has continued to intrigue botanists and plant enthusiasts for centuries.

True fox sedge thrives in a variety of moist environments, often flourishing in wetlands, marshes, and alongside riverbanks where the soil is rich and damp. Its robust nature allows it to adapt to various climatic conditions across its wide geographical range. The plant is recognized by its dense tufts of grass-like leaves, which emerge from a central base and can grow quite tall, often creating a striking visual impact in natural landscapes.

The sedge’s inflorescences are another distinctive feature. They comprise tightly packed spikelets, typically bearing a greenish to brownish hue, which serve both as a reproductive structure and as a means for the plant to disseminate its seeds across its habitat. The hardy nature of Carex vulpina makes it a vital component of its ecosystem, often playing an essential role in stabilizing soil and providing habitat for various wildlife species.

Overall, True fox sedge (Carex vulpina) is not only a plant of interest due to its wide distribution and ecological value but also remains a subject of study and admiration due to its ability to blend seamlessly with the environments it inhabits.

Common Names

Deu: fuchs-segge, fuchssegge
Dan: ræve-star
Nor: diger-star, rævstarr
Fin: ketunsara
Swe: ketunsara, rävstarr
Fra: laîche des renards, laiche der renards
Nob: revestarr
Nno: revestorr
Eng: true fox sedge, true fox-sedge
Nld: voszegge
Cym: hesgen dywysennog fawr, hesgen dywysennog fwyaf
En: True fox sedge, True fox-sedge
Be: Асака лісіная
Bg: Лисича острица
Ca: Serrada
Zh: 狐狸苔草, 狐狸薹草
Cs: Ostřice liščí
Da: Ræve-star
Nl: Voszegge
Et: Rebastarn
Fi: Ketunsara
Fr: Laiche der renards, Laîche des renards, Laiche des renards, Laiche en queue de renard, Laîche en queue de renard, Carex des renards
De: Fuchs-Segge, Frühlingssegge, Fuchsriedgras, Fuchssegge, Fuchsfarbene Segge
It: Carice volpina
Lv: Lapsu grīslis
No: Diger-star, Rævstarr
Nb: Revestarr
Nn: Revestorr
Pl: Turzyca lisia
Ru: Осока лисья
Sv: Rävstarr, Ketunsara
Zh-tw: 狐狸苔草
Zh-hant: 狐狸苔草
Uk: Осока лисяча
Cy: Hesgen dywysennog fawr, Hesgen Dywysennog Fwyaf

Synonyms

• Carex spicata (Thuill.)
• Carex reflexa (F.Dietr.)
• Carex vulpina var. litoralis (Nolte ex Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex mertensis (Weihe ex Kunth)
• Edritria vulpina ((L.) Raf.)
• Carex vulpina f. capitulata ((Peterm.) Soó)
• Carex vulpina f. elongata (Andersson)
• Carex vulpina f. laeviuscula (Sanio ex Asch. & Graebn.)
• Carex vulpina f. minor (Peterm.)
• Carex vulpina var. stribrnyi ((Velen.) Kük.)
• Carex vulpina subsp. stribrnyi (Velen.)
• Carex brotherorum (Christ)
• Carex vulpina var. remotiflora (Lange)
• Carex vulpina var. tenuior (Trevir.)
• Vignea vulpina f. capitulata (Peterm.)
• Vignea vulpina var. crassinervis (Schur)
• Carex vulpina var. crassinervis ((Schur) Kük.)
• Carex vulpina var. divulsa (Čelak.)
• Carex vulpina var. compacta ((Lam.) Velen.)
• Carex vulpina var. acuta (Gray)
• Carex vulpina var. pallidior (Meinsh.)
• Carex vulpina var. gracilis (Gaudin)
• Carex vulpina var. aristata (Gray)
• Carex vulpina var. longibracteata (Beck)
• Vignea vulpina ((L.) Rchb.)
• Carex vulpina var. vulgaris (Čelak.)
• Carex vulpina f. aristata (Asch.)
• Carex vulpina var. decomposita (Gray)
• Carex glomerata (Gilib. ex Bubani)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 26, 2022 by Jeanine Vialatte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by xavier font (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Neagoe Larisa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2020 by Guy Duyckaerts (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Tim Burton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2020 by Guy Duyckaerts (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by jacques maréchal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2020 by Udo Herkommer (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 12, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Gérard Leveslin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Gérard Leveslin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Augustin ROCHE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2020 by Guy Duyckaerts (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 7, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − LE ROY Jean-Pierre (cc-by-sa)

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

Other

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

Taken Dec 31, 1849 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 1905 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)

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:302952-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2728514)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex vulpina L.)

Specifications

Growth