Carex sterilis

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Carex sterilis
Carex sterilis drawing 1.png
1913 Illustration [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Carex
Species:
C. sterilis
Binomial name
Carex sterilis
Willd.
Synonyms
List
    • Carex elachycarpa
    • Carex muricata L. var. sterilis
    • Carex × minganinsularum
    • Kobresia elachycarpa

Carex sterilis, common names dioecious sedge, sterile sedge and Atlantic sedge, is a perennial plant native to North America. [2]

Contents

Description

Carex sterilis is a perennial, rhizomatous, tuft-forming plant growing up to 30 inches in height. Leaves are alternate, flat, smooth, up to 10 inches long, with tightly wrapped sheaths. Basal stems have brownish sheaths.The inflorescence takes the form of multiple spikes, with male and female spikes on separate plants. The fruit is an achene, appearing in June to July. [3]

Distribution and habitat

This species favours wetland habitat, especially calcareous fenlands, marshes, meadows, around laves and rivers. [4]

Conservation status in the United States

Although not believed to be of immediate concern on a global scale, Carex sterilis is listed as a special concern in Connecticut, [5] as threatened in Maine, Massachusetts and Minnesota, as endangered in Pennsylvania, as historical in Rhode Island, and as endangered and possibly extirpated in Tennessee. [6]

References

  1. Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 273.
  2. "Plants Profile for Carex sterilis (dioecious sedge)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  3. "Carex sterilis (Sterile Sedge): Minnesota Wildflowers". www.minnesotawildflowers.info. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  4. "Carex sterilis (dioecious sedge): Go Botany". gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  5. "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015". State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 31 January 2018. (Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.)
  6. "Plants Profile for Carex sterilis (dioecious sedge)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 31 January 2018.