White beak sedge (Rhynchospora alba, Enum. Pl. Obs. 2: 236 (1805))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: (L.) Vahl

Bibliography: Enum. Pl. Obs. 2: 236 (1805)

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rhynchospora

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

White beak sedge, known scientifically as Rhynchospora alba, is an intriguing plant species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. This plant was first cataloged in the year 1805, as noted in the botanical reference “Enumeratio Plantarum Omnium” volume 2, page 236, by the renowned botanist Vahl. The species’ scientific epithet, authored by (L.) Vahl, traces its etymology and classification back to its discovery and subsequent documentation.

Predominantly found in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Rhynchospora alba thrives in a variety of moist habitats. These include bogs, wet meadows, and the edges of freshwater bodies. The distribution of White beak sedge across these regions suggests its adaptability to wetlands and its role in local ecosystems as a stabilizer of soil and a provider of habitat for various microorganisms and small wildlife.

White beak sedge is characterized by its slender, grass-like appearance and distinct white, beak-shaped spikelets that give it its common name. These spikelets are not only aesthetically appealing but also functionally significant as they contain the reproductive organs necessary for seed production. The plant’s ability to produce these unique spikelets aids in its identification and contributes to its resilience and propagation in suitable environments.

Overall, Rhynchospora alba is an important species for studying wetland ecology and understanding the dynamics of plant communities in temperate zones. Its distinctive morphology and reproductive strategy make it a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike. In preserving such species, we gain insights into the intricate web of life that sustains biodiversity and ecological balance in the Northern Hemisphere’s wetland ecosystems.

Common Names

Dan: hvid næbfrø
Deu: weißes schnabelried
Eng: white beak sedge, white beak-rush, white beaksedge, white beak-sedge, white beakrush
Nor: myr-ak, qviitaam, qviitkjæne, qvitt-ak
Fra: rhynchoscope blanc, rhynchospore blanc, rhynchospora blanc
Nld: witte snavelbies
Sme: vilgesluktáš
Swe: vitag
Cym: corsfrwynen wen
En: White beak sedge, White beak-rush, White beaksedge, Whitebeaked rush, White beak-sedge, White beakrush, White Beaked-bush
Be: Чаротнік белы
Zh: 新竹莞, 白穗刺子莞, 白鳞刺子莞
Cs: Hrotnosemenka bílá
Da: Hvid Næbfrø
Nl: Witte snavelbies
Et: Valge nokkhein
Fi: Valkopiirtoheinä
Fr: Rhynchoscope blanc, Rhynchospore blanc, Rhynchospora blanc, Rhynchospore blanche
De: Weißes Schnabelried, Weiße Schnabelsimse
Hu: Fehér tőzegkáka
Ga: Gobsheisc
It: Rincospora chiara
Lv: Parastais baltmeldrs
Lt: Baltoji saidra
Se: Vilgesluktáš
No: Myr-ak, Qviitaam, Qviitkjæne, Qvitt-ak
Pl: Przygiełka biała
Ru: Очеретник белый
Sv: Vitag
Zh-tw: 白穗刺子莞
Cy: Corsfrwynen wen

Synonyms

• Rhynchospora alba var. kiusiana (Makino)
• Phaeocephalum album ((L.) House)
• Rhynchospora alba f. laeviseta (Gale)
• Rhynchospora luquillensis (Britton)
• Scirpus albus ((L.) Salisb.)
• Schoenus albus (L.)
• Dichromena alba ((L.) J.F.Macbr.)
• Mariscus albus ((L.) Gilib.)
• Triodon albus ((L.) Farw.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Audrey LERENDU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Sep 27, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 19, 2020 by Chlad Martin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Agnieszka Szymkiewicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2018 by Alexandre Martin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Davina D. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2007 by EOL − Václav Dvořák (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 1, 2007 by EOL − Václav Dvořák (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Christophe RAGUE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 21, 2013 by EOL − Scot Loring (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by j.j.colijn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2721119)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1070770-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rhynchospora alba (L.) Vahl)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 2