SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 9026.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "9026" 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

little green sedge

Scientific Name: Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Little Green Sedge (Carex viridula)

Little Green Sedge, scientifically known as Carex viridula, is a plant with several interesting characteristics and a widespread distribution. This page provides information about its taxonomy, habitat, and other ecological and morphological aspects.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carex viridula Michx.
  • Common Name: Little Green Sedge
  • Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Carex chlorophila Mackenzie (in part)
    • Carex chlorophylla Mackenzie (in part)
    • Carex oederi auct. non Retz.
    • Carex oederi Retz. ssp. viridula (Michx.) Hultn
  • USDA Symbol: CAVI5
  • Other Names:
    • Carex oederi
    • Carex oerderi var.
    • Carex verdtre (French)
    • Späte Gelb-Segge (German)
    • Ostrica Oederova (Slovak)
    • Turzyca Oedera (Polish)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Little Green Sedge inhabits river and lake shores, as well as Atlantic shores and islands.
  • It is a very common species of lakeshores, beach pools, and interdunal swales.
  • It is often found in very early successional wetland habitats.
  • Two subspecies are present in New England.
  • Observed in Mackinac County, Michigan, United States.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Forms clumps or mats.
  • Terminal spike is usually all staminate (male).
  • Typically has 2 to 5 short pistillate (female) spikes.
  • Perigynia and foliage are often olive or dark green.
  • Culms (stems) are often arcuate or sinuous.
  • Staminate spikes are on peduncles (stalks) that are 3-28 mm long.
  • Consists of a tuft of leafy culms about 1' tall.
  • Culms are light green and 3-angled.
  • Has small, yellowish-green seedheads.

Ecological Role

  • Crawe's sedge and little green sedge occur in abandoned limestone quarries in Ohio.

Further Information

  • ARKive (for photos and facts)
  • Dave's Garden (for gardening tips and ideas)
  • Discover Life (for biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution)