SafePlants

Peck's Sedge (Carex peckii)

Peck's sedge, scientifically known as Carex peckii, is a tufted perennial plant belonging to the sedge family (Cyperaceae). This page provides information about its classification, distribution, characteristics, and more.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Carex peckii Howe
• Common Names: Peck's sedge, White tinged sedge, Peck's oak sedge
• Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
• Synonym: Carex nigromarginata Schwein. var. elliptica (Boott) Gleason

Distribution and Habitat

This sedge is fairly widespread in coastal alvar and Great Lakes alkaline. This plant has also been found in Ashland County, WI, and is known to occur in the Thousand Islands area. It has also been reported in northern Alberta but detected fewer than 20 times in the study area. Furthermore, Peck's Sedge is present in the Rocky Mountain Region and Saskatchewan.

Morphological Characteristics

• Loosely clump-forming.
• Possesses a single, short staminate spike.
• Features 2 or 3 short pistillate spikes.
• Pistillate spikes are hairy and urn-shaped.
• Tufted perennial from a short, branched structure
• Perennial plant

Etymology

The genus name, Carex, is the classical Latin name for sedges.

Historical Context

• The plant is named after Charles Horton Peck (1833-1917), who served as the New York State Botanist for 48 years and described over 2700 species of fungi.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Sedge Warblers have been observed to peck on flowers and leaves, although the text is referring to prey captures rather than direct interaction with this specific sedge.

Further Information

• Discover Life has a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Carex peckii.