No images found for this plant ID: 9004.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "9004" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

Safe for Dogs?

Safe for Cats?

Safe for Reptiles?

blister sedge

Scientific Name: Carex vesicaria var. raeana

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Carex vesicaria

Carex vesicaria is a sedge species commonly known as bladder sedge or blister sedge.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carex vesicaria L.
  • Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Carex inflata (mentioned as a synonym of Carex vesicaria var. vesicaria)
    • Carex exsiccata (referred to as a synonymic species)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Subspecies:
    • Carex vesicaria var. vesicaria
    • Carex vesicaria var. raeana
    • Carex vesicaria var. monile
    • Carex vesicaria var. distenta

Distribution and Habitat

  • Carex vesicaria is described as an essentially Holarctic species.
  • It is native to northern North America.
  • It is seen in a vernal riparian area.
  • Found in Queen Annes Co., Maryland.
  • It is found in the Siskiyou Mountains west of Grants Pass, Oregon.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It's a perennial sedge.
  • The plant has male (upper) and female spikes (lower).
  • The dried fibers of Carex vesicaria have been used as thermal insulation.

Genetic Information

  • Chromosome number: 2n = 74, 82

Ecological Role

  • It is often associated with Tree willow (Salix arbusculoides) and Drummond's willow (Salix drummondiana).

Further Information

  • NRCS PLANTS Database
  • ITIS (#: 39467)
  • USDA