Wimper sedge (Carex pilosa, Fl. Carniol., ed. 2, 2: 226 (1771))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Scop.

Bibliography: Fl. Carniol., ed. 2, 2: 226 (1771)

Year: 1771

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carex

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. France to E. & SE. Europe

Description

Wimper sedge, known scientifically as Carex pilosa, is a notable member of the Cyperaceae family. First described by botanist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in the second edition of his work “Flora Carniolica” in 1771, this plant is distinguished for its unique appearance and ecological role.

Carex pilosa can primarily be found in a geographical range that stretches from Central France across to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. This extensive distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various local climates and soil conditions within these regions.

The Wimper sedge thrives in deciduous woodland habitats, often preferring the shaded, moist environments provided by such settings. Its ecological presence is a crucial aspect of forest undergrowth communities, contributing to the habitat’s biodiversity and offering benefits such as soil stabilization and habitat for small wildlife.

This plant is characterized by its distinctive sedge morphology, with slender, grass-like leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers that typify the Carex genus. The foliage often exhibits fine hairs, which is a signature trait alluded to in its common name “Wimper” (meaning ‘eyelash’ in German), alluding to the delicate fringes observed on the leaves.

In botanic gardens and natural reserves, Carex pilosa is appreciated both for its ornamental value and its role in maintaining ecological balance. Its presence is an indicator of a healthy woodland ecosystem, and it serves as a valuable subject for botanical studies focusing on plant ecology and conservation.

Overall, Carex pilosa or Wimper sedge is a remarkable and ecologically significant plant species within its native range in Europe, embodying both natural beauty and ecological importance.

Common Names

Deu: wimper-segge
Lav: matainais grislis
Nld: gewimperde zegge
Swe: fransstarr
En: Wimper Sedge
Bg: Ресничеста острица
Zh: 毛缘苔草, 毛缘薹草
Cs: Ostřice chlupatá
Nl: Gewimperde zegge
Fi: Ripsisara
Fr: Laiche poilue, Laîche poilue, Laiche pileuse, Laîche pileuse
De: Wimper-Segge, Gewimperte Segge
Hu: Bükksás
It: Carice pelosa
Lv: Matainais grīslis, Matainais grislis
Ru: Осока волосистая
Sv: Fransstarr
Zh-tw: 毛緣苔草
Zh-hant: 毛緣苔草
Uk: Осока волосиста
: Wimper sedge

Synonyms

• Carex nemorosa (J.F.Gmel.)
• Carex prostrata (J.F.Gmel.)
• Carex foliata (F.Schmidt ex Meinsh.)
• Carex nemorensis (J.F.Gmel.)
• Carex pilosa var. densiflora (Schur)
• Loxotrema pilosa ((Scop.) Raf.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Flower

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by OnDu204 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by klara kucerova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Tom Tom (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

Other

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© 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/2727195)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:301582-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carex pilosa Scop.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 5