SafePlants

Carex hassei - Salt Sedge

Carex hassei, commonly known as salt sedge, is a species of sedge found in various coastal habitats. This plant has garnered attention for its ecological role and genetic diversity.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is often found in salt marsh environments, so be mindful of this if you live near the coast or take your pets to coastal areas.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Carex hassei L.H. Bailey
• Common Name: Salt Sedge
• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family) - This text notes over a thousand species in the Cyperaceae family, with around two thousand in the Carex genera.

Distribution and Habitat

• Carex hassei is native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia to Baja California.
• It thrives in coastal salt marshes, including those along Puget Sound, the outer coasts of Washington and Oregon, and the lower Columbia River.

Ecological Role

• Salt sedge forms dense stands in coastal salt marshes.
• The text also mentions other sedges found in different wetland environments, including freshwater marshes, bogs, and brackish coastal marshes.
• The plant is often associated with salt marsh ecosystems and is mentioned in the context of salt-tolerant vegetation.

Morphological Characteristics

• Glaucous sedge (not specifically Carex hassei but relevant) is described as a creeping perennial, typically 10 to 40cm tall, capable of growing in damp, dry, and salt-tolerant conditions.

Genetic Information

• The text references the development of microsatellite markers from salt-marsh sedges such as Carex scabrifolia and Carex rugulosa. This indicates ongoing research into the genetic diversity and population structure of these plants.
• Microsatellite markers are used to analyze population clonal diversity in Carex scabrifolia in western Japan.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The sedge warbler is mentioned in association with reed beds alongside salt marshes, indicating a habitat relationship.
• Sedge wrens are also mentioned in this text, with their habitat being identified as marshes, bogs and coastal marshes.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides pages about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Carex hassei.
• The USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database contains photos and information.