SafePlants

Boreal Bog Sedge (Carex magellanica)

The boreal bog sedge, scientifically known as Carex magellanica, is a perennial plant with common names including poor sedge, bog sedge, and tall bog sedge. It is sometimes referred to as Magellanica.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant belongs to the sedge family and is often found in wetlands and boggy areas.

Considerations for Children

• The plant belongs to the sedge family and is often found in wetlands and boggy areas.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Carex magellanica Lam.
• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
• Subspecies: Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua (Wahlenb.) Hultn
• Synonyms: Carex magellanica var. irrigua, Carex paupercula, Carex paupercula var.
• Alternative scientific names: Carex paupercula.

Distribution and Habitat

• Boreal bog sedge exhibits a bipolar disjunct distribution.
• The subspecies Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua inhabits northern temperate wetlands and Holarctic wetlands.
• Observed in locations such as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada and Fond du Lac co WI in June 2011.
• Grows on Metinic Island.

Morphological Characteristics

• Descriptor: Spikelet type.
• The plant has pitksuippuset thksuomut, which translates to long-tapered bracts.

Ecological Role

• Found in acidic graminoid fens, leatherleaf boggy fens, bog rosemary-sedge fens, and inland poor fens.
• Present in bog lakes surrounded by open bog mats.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Often found with sundews, arrow-grass, northern bladderwort, leatherleaf, Labrador-tea, and bog-rosemary.
• Found with sedge, star sedge, bulrush and alpine cottongrass.

Further Information

• Rob Routledge is a source of information on Carex magellanica.
• Discover Life has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Carex magellanica.