Summary ²

Carex nigra (L.) Reichard (syn. C. acuta auct. non L.) is a perennial species of plants in the family Cyperaceae native to wetlands of Europe, western Asia, NW Africa and E North America. Common names include common sedge, black sedge or smooth black sedge. The eastern limit of its range reaches central Siberia, Turkey and probably Caucasus.

Perennial sedge, tufted or with single stems to 70 cm; stems are triangular in cross-section with rounded edges. Leaves: 1-3 mm wide, thin, flat, tapered to fine points, glaucous and mostly erect with dark fibrous sheaths and rounded ligules 1-3mm long. Flowers: a leaf-like bract subtends and is shorter or equal in length to the flower head; 1-2 male spikes, dark purplish/ brown, 5-30 mm long; 1-4 female spikes, 7-50 x 3-5 mm, clustered together. Fruit: utricle 2.5-3.5mm long, wider than glume, distinctly ribbed, with almost no beak.

Distribution ³

Husvik and Ocean Harbour

Comments ³

carex species can be difficult to identify. The native Smith's sedge has a single flower head with obvious hooked bristles extending from each flower.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) fabelfroh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/fabelfroh/2477962627/
2. Adapted by stuwhiterod from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carex_nigra
3. (c) Kelvin Floyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
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• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
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• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
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• USDA PLANTS database
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