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fragile sheath sedge

Scientific Name: Carex fracta

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Fragile Sheath Sedge (Carex fracta)

Carex fracta, commonly known as fragile sheath sedge, is a species of sedge native to the western United States.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the leaf sheaths are fragile and separate easily from the culm. While no explicit toxicity is stated, pets that ingest plant material may experience discomfort or digestive issues.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions that the leaf sheaths are fragile. While no explicit toxicity is stated, children that ingest plant material may experience discomfort or digestive issues.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carex fracta
  • Common Name: Fragile sheath sedge, Fragile sheathed sedge
  • Synonyms: The provided text also references authorities like "Mackenzie" in connection with the name, e.g., Carex fracta Mackenzie.

Distribution and Habitat

  • This sedge is native to the western United States, specifically from Washington to California.
  • It is found in moist habitats such as ditches and wetlands. Examples include locations along Laurel Road in Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and wetlands at the trailhead for Canyon Creek in the Klickitat State Wildlife Area of south-central Washington.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Carex fracta is a perennial sedge forming tufts of arching leaves and flowering culms.
  • The leaf sheaths envelope the culm. They are described as fragile and easily separating from the culm. The fronts of the leaf sheaths are smooth, whitish to green, and red-spotted with a convex apex. They are translucent, colorless, and thin.
  • Stems are fragile and droopy, measuring 15 to 35 cm in length.

Ecology

  • The text indicates that Carex fracta prefers a slightly humid environment.
  • It is also mentioned that its habitat is fragile and can be impacted by development and timber harvest.

Further Information

  • Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Carex fracta.
  • Oregon State provides a field guide to the sedges of the Pacific Northwest.
  • The USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database provides information on sedges.
  • CalPhotos provides images of Carex fracta.