SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 8635.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "8635" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

northern singlespike sedge

Scientific Name: Carex scirpoidea

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: ME (bulrush sedge), MI (bulrush sedge), NH (scirpu

       

Northern Single-spike Sedge (Carex scirpoidea ssp. scirpoidea)

The Northern Single-spike Sedge, scientifically known as Carex scirpoidea ssp. scirpoidea, is a perennial graminoid plant.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant has a graminoid growth habit, which may be attractive to grazing animals.
  • It possesses a rhizome.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant has a graminoid growth habit.
  • It possesses a rhizome.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carex scirpoidea ssp. scirpoidea
  • Common Names: Northern Single-spike Sedge, Canadian Single-spike Sedge, Scirpus-like Sedge, Single Spike Sedge.
  • Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
  • Group: Monocot
  • Synonyms:
    • Carex scirpoidea Michx.
  • Informal Taxonomy: Plants, Vascular - Flowering Plants - Sedge Family

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Northern Single-spike Sedge is a northern or montane plant.
  • It is native to Alaska (AK), Northern Canada (N CAN), and the Northern Great Lakes region (N GL).
  • It can be found in alpine or cool northern environments and acidic bedrock outcrops.
  • Observed growing on gravel bars.
  • Also found in Northern Europe

Morphological Characteristics

  • Growth Habit: Graminoid
  • Duration: Perennial
  • It has a long, horizontal rhizome from which it puts up occasional stems.
  • Each stem typically has a single, few-flowered spike.
  • Spikelet is single, remaining erect in fruit with no involucral bracts.
  • Uppermost stem sheath.
  • Composed of a single spike 5 to 25 cm long, of which the top half is male and the lower half consists of about three to ten.
  • Fertile stems bearing greenish or brownish spikes of inconspicuous flowers.
  • Some can reach about 10 inches or so, each carry a single club-shaped spike.
  • The leaves may have a stiff arching form.
  • Blooms: June - August
  • Habit: Herb

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Carex hallii is superficially similar in appearance to C. scirpoidea, and the two species sometimes occur together.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant can exhibit separate male and female spikes on separate plants.
  • Some populations are in alpine or cool northern environments.

Further Information

  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
  • Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions.