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slender woodland sedge

Scientific Name: Carex digitalis var. digitalis

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Slender Woodland Sedge (Carex digitalis)

Carex digitalis, commonly known as Slender Woodland Sedge, is a widespread sedge found in mesic deciduous woodlands. It belongs to the Cyperaceae family.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a sedge, and while sedges are not typically associated with high toxicity, some pets might experience mild digestive upset if they ingest large quantities of any plant material.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carex digitalis Willd.
  • Common Names: Slender Woodland Sedge, Slender Wood Sedge, Narrow Leafed Wood Sedge, Common Wood Sedge, Eastern Woodland Sedge, Narrow-leaved Wood Sedge.
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Division: Tracheophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Order: Poales
  • Family: Cyperaceae (True Sedges)
  • Synonyms: Carex gracilescens Steud.
  • Subordinate Taxa: Carex digitalis var. digitalis

Distribution and Habitat

  • Carex digitalis is described as a widespread sedge of mesic deciduous woodlands.
  • Mentioned in reference to areas of semi-natural woodland, mostly ancient in origin.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Plant Form: Graminoid
  • Flower Color: Green, yellow, brown
  • Inflorescence: Very loose, usually with one terminal male spikelet, and 3 to 5 long stalked, pendulous slender female spikelets 20 to 60 mm long.
  • Culms: Each slender culm is light to medium green, triangular, and glabrous.
  • Leaves: About 1-3 alternate leaves occur along the length of each culm.

Quirky Facts

  • The specific epithet "digitalis" comes from the Latin word for "finger," referring to the finger-like shape of the staminate spikes.

Related Information

  • Fertilization is recommended every 15-20 days during certain periods of the year.

Further Resources

  • Discover Life: Provides a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Carex digitalis.
  • USDA Agricultural Research Service: Source of images of Carex digitalis.
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Focused on protecting and preserving North America's native plants.
  • TERMIUM: The Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank.
  • Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (www.mass.gov/nhesp).