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mountain sedge
Scientific Name: Carex scopulorum
Family: Cyperaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Carex: A Diverse Genus of Sedges
The genus Carex encompasses a wide variety of plants commonly known as sedges. Several species are specifically referred to as "mountain sedge," highlighting their prevalence in mountainous regions. This group of plants exhibits diverse ecological roles and morphological adaptations.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
- Order: Cyperales (Grasses/Sedges)
Several Carex species and subspecies are mentioned:
- Carex scopulorum T. Holm (Mountain Sedge)
- Carex scopulorum var. bracteosa
- Carex roanensis F.J. Hermann (Roan Mountain Sedge)
- Carex montana (Mountain Sedge)
- Carex geophila (White Mountain Sedge)
- Carex bigelowii
- Carex rigida (Stiff Mountain Sedge)
- Carex arapahoensis
- Carex backii (Rocky Mountain Sedge)
- Carex saximontana (Rocky Mountain Sedge)
- Carex proposita (Great Smoky Mountain Sedge)
- Carex pulicaris (Flea Sedge)
- Carex punctata (Dotted Sedge)
- Carex rariflora (Mountain Bog-sedge)
- Carex recta (Estuarine Sedge)
- Carex remota
- Carex demissa (Common Yellow Sedge)
- Carex digitata (Fingered Sedge)
- Carex panicea (Carnation Sedge)
- Carex pallescens (Pale Sedge)
- Carex vesicaria (Green Sedge)
- Carex viridula
Distribution and Habitat
- Carex arapahoensis: Alpine and sub-alpine zones of the southern and central Colorado and eastern Utah mountains.
- Carex scopulorum: Northern, southern and central California.
- General Habitats: Mediterranean forests, mountain grasslands, moorlands, mountains, parklands, and swamps.
Morphological Characteristics
- Sedges often form lawns or meadows.
- Most sedges have triangular shaped stems, unlike the round stems of many grasses.
- Grass-like leaf blades.
- Last year's dead and dry leaf blades are persistent at the base.
- Flower Description: 2 to 4 wheat-like flowers.
- Bunched perennial with flowering stems to 14 inches tall (Carex saximontana).
Ecological Role
- Component of mountain meadows alongside fescue, matgrass, Bromus, and Poa.
- Found on siliceous substrates in mountain areas.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Observed in habitats also occupied by golden eagles, buzzards, kestrels, curlews, hooded crows, foxes and mountain hares.
- Additive impacts of nitrogen deposition and grazing on mountain moss-sedge heaths.
Resources
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
- TERMIUM (Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank)