Family: Cyperaceae
Author: Huds.
Bibliography: Fl. Angl.: 347 (1762)
Year: 1762
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Carex
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to C. Siberia and Iran, N. Africa
Description
Tworank sedge, scientifically known as Carex disticha, is a perennial plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family. First documented in the “Flora Anglica” by William Hudson in 1762, this grass-like plant has since been recognized for its distinct arrangement and widespread presence across various regions.
Native to a broad geographic range, Tworank sedge can be found throughout Europe, extending its reach into Central Siberia and Iran, and as far south as Northern Africa. This adaptability to diverse climates and terrains highlights its robust nature and ecological versatility.
Tworank sedge typically thrives in moist environments, such as wet meadows, marshes, and along the banks of rivers and streams. It plays a crucial role in these ecosystems, providing habitat and food for wildlife, stabilizing soil, and contributing to the overall biodiversity and health of wetland habitats.
Botanically, Carex disticha is distinguished by its characteristic two-ranked leaves, from which it derives its common name. The plant produces dense clumps of narrow, green leaves that grow in a distinctive alternating pattern on either side of the stem, creating a striking appearance. The flowering stems, topped with clusters of small, brownish flowers, rise above the foliage in late spring to early summer.
Through its extensive distribution and vital ecological role, Tworank sedge remains an important subject of study and conservation within the botanical community. Хudson’s early work laid the foundation for understanding this species, which continues to be a valuable component of many natural landscapes around the world.
Common Names
Dan: toradet star
Eng: tworank sedge, brown sedge, two-ranked sedge
Deu: zweizeilige segge
Nob: duskstarr
Nno: duskstorr
Fin: kahtaissara
Swe: kahtaissara, plattstarr
Fra: laîche distique, carex distique
Nld: tweerijige zegge
Cym: hesg llygliw, hesgen lygliw, hesgen lygliw benblydd
En: Tworank sedge, Two-ranked Sedge, Brown sedge
Be: Асака двухрадковая
Bg: Двуредна острица
Ca: Càrex dístic
Cs: Ostřice dvouřadá
Da: Toradet star
Nl: Tweerijige zegge, Tweerijige Zeege
Et: Lünktarn
Fi: Kahtaissara
Fr: Laîche distique, Carex distique, Laiche distique
De: Kammsegge, Zweizeilige Segge, Kamm-Segge
It: Carice contratta
Lv: Divrindu grīslis
Nb: Duskstarr
Nn: Duskstorr
Fa: کارکس دیستیچا
Pl: Turzyca dwustronna
Ru: Осока двурядная
Sv: Plattstarr, Kahtaissara
Cy: Hesgen lygliw, Hesg Llygliw, Hesgen Lygliw Benblydd
Synonyms
- Carex marginata (Gorter)
- Vignea intermedia (Rchb.)
- Carex disticha subsp. grossheimii ((V.I.Krecz.) T.V.Egorova)
- Carex intermedia var. repens (Rchb.)
- Vignea disticha ((Huds.) Peterm.)
- Carex disticha var. distachya (O.Lang)
- Carex disticha f. submascula (Almq.)
- Carex disticha var. decipiens (T.Durand)
- Carex intermedia f. longibracteata ((Schleich.) Kük.)
- Carex disticha f. floribunda ((Peterm.) Peterm.)
- Carex intermedia f. minor ((Peterm.) Kük.)
- Carex intermedia f. pangyna ((Beck) Kük.)
- Carex intermedia f. permixta ((Beck) Kük.)
- Carex disticha var. capitata (Hampe ex O.Lang)
- Carex intermedia var. abbreviata (Klett & Richt.)
- Vignea disticha f. floribunda (Peterm.)
- Carex disticha var. compactior (Kük.)
- Carex disticha f. luxurians ((Beck) Almq.)
- Carex grossheimii (V.I.Krecz.)
- Carex disticha var. minor (Peterm.)
- Carex multiformis (Thuill.)
- Carex modesta (J.Gay)
- Carex disticha f. permixta (Beck)
- Caricina disticha ((Huds.) St.-Lag.)
- Carex disticha var. luxurians (Beck)
- Carex disticha f. pangyna (Beck)
- Carex intermedia f. distachya ((O.Lang) Kük.)
- Carex disticha var. longibracteata (Schleich.)
- Carex intermedia f. elatior ((Boeckeler) Kük.)
- Carex intermedia f. floribunda ((Peterm.) Kük.)
- Carex disticha var. floribunda ((Peterm.) Peterm.)
- Carex teretiuscula subsp. modesta ((J.Gay) Nyman)
- Carex disticha var. elatior (Boeckeler)
- Carex disticha var. pedunculata (Pamp.)
- Carex longibracteata (Schleich.)
- Carex arenaria (Leers)
- Carex pseudoarenaria (Pers.)
- Carex disticha var. gracilis (Metsch)
Distribution
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 22, 2022 by Winfried Schneppe (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2017 by Elzet Dental (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2022 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2017 by Elzet Dental (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 5, 2022 by Karlo Müller (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2022 by Easger (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Michel Guerin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2022 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 27, 2017 by Elzet Dental (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Apr 9, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Michel Guerin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2021 by Peter V (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 18, 2022 by Rabenau Philip (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 6, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jun 20, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 1844 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30089381-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2725082)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex disticha Huds.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]
Soil nutriments: 5