Boott ex Hook.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.131509
Element CodePMCYP03420
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusCarex
Other Common Namesbristleleaf sedge (EN) Bristle-leaved Sedge (EN) Carex ivoirin (FR) Ivory Sedge (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsCommon name changed from 'Ebony Sedge' which is a mixup with Carex ebenea to 'Bristle-leaved Sedge'.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-08
Change Date1984-02-29
Edition Date2025-07-08
Edition AuthorsWilliams, C.L. (n.d.), rev. Soteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsCarex eburnea is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid in a variety of calcareous or circumneutral substrates, usually in conifer or mixed forests, occasionally fens, stable dunes and alvar. It is found throughout much of northern and eastern North America, from Alaska, United States east to the Northwest Territories, Newfoundland Island, and Nova Scotia, Canada, south in the continental United States to Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Washington, and disjunct in central Mexico. There are over 1,000 estimated occurrences, which face threats from development, conversion to pasture and cattle or goat grazing, mining or quarrying, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, and invasive species. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsCarex eburnea occurs throughout much of northern and eastern North America, from Alaska, United States east to the Northwest Territories, Newfoundland Island, and Nova Scotia, Canada, south in the continental United States to Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Washington, and disjunct in central Mexico (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 20 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is threatened by development, conversion to pasture and cattle or goat grazing, mining or quarrying, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, invasive species, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2025). However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range and large number of occurrences.