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Carex utriculata

Boott

Beaked Sedge

G5Secure Found in 124 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.157731
Element CodePMCYP03H90
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusCarex
Synonyms
Carex rostrata var. utriculata(Boott) Bailey
Other Common Names
Carex utriculé (FR) Northern Beaked Sedge (EN) Northwest Territory sedge (EN) Northwest Territory Sedge (EN) Small Bottle Sedge (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, 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.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-21
Change Date1993-11-16
Edition Date2025-08-21
Edition AuthorsAnnable, C. (1993), rev. Soteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Carex utriculata is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid found in a variety of wetland habitat types, including pen swamps, wet thickets, marshes, sedge meadows, bogs, fens, stream, pond, and lakeshores. It has a circumboreal distribution, occurring in North America from Alaska, United States, and throughout Canada south to North Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska, and New Mexico west to California in the United States, Mexico, and Eurasia. There are thousands of occurrences worldwide, which face threats from development, grazing and trampling by livestock, rights-of-way maintenance, hydrological alteration, invasive species, and other threats in some places. 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 Comments
Carex utriculata has a circumboreal distribution, occurring in North America from Alaska, United States, and throughout Canada south to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, Nebraska, and New Mexico west to California in the United States, Mexico, and Eurasia (FNA 2002, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 75 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 Comments
By 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 thousands of occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, this species is threatened by development, grazing and trampling by livestock, rights-of-way maintenance, hydrological alteration, 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, large number of occurrences, and affinity for typically abundant habitats.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Carex utriculata grows in "open swamps, wet thickets, marshes, sedge meadows, bogs, fens, stream, pond, and lakeshores" (FNA 2002).
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDSCRUB-SHRUB WETLANDFORESTED WETLANDBog/fenRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
LabradorS3Yes
NunavutS2Yes
Island of NewfoundlandS4Yes
QuebecS5Yes
OntarioS5Yes
Yukon TerritoryS5Yes
SaskatchewanS4Yes
ManitobaS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
Prince Edward IslandS3Yes
Northwest TerritoriesS4Yes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
AlbertaS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
NevadaSNRYes
West VirginiaS3Yes
MichiganSNRYes
ColoradoS5Yes
TennesseeS1Yes
OregonSNRYes
MassachusettsSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
MaineSNRYes
AlaskaSNRYes
MinnesotaSNRYes
ConnecticutSNRYes
IowaSNRYes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
IndianaS3Yes
New HampshireSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
WashingtonSNRYes
ArizonaS3Yes
IllinoisSNRYes
DelawareSHYes
New JerseyS2Yes
New MexicoSNRYes
VirginiaS1Yes
WisconsinSNRYes
New YorkS5Yes
South DakotaSNRYes
VermontS5Yes
MontanaS5Yes
OhioS3Yes
NebraskaS1Yes
North CarolinaS1Yes
MarylandS4Yes
PennsylvaniaSNRYes
UtahSNRYes
District of ColumbiaSNRYes
WyomingS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentUnknownUnknownUnknown
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureUnknownUnknownUnknown
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranchingUnknownUnknownUnknown
2.3.4 - Scale unknown/unrecordedUnknownUnknownUnknown
4 - Transportation & service corridorsUnknownUnknownUnknown
4.1 - Roads & railroadsUnknownUnknownUnknown
7 - Natural system modificationsUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.2 - Dams & water management/useUnknownUnknownUnknown
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.1.1 - Unspecified speciesUnknownUnknownUnknown

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (124)
Alaska (4)
AreaForestAcres
Boston BarChugach National Forest53,617
HardingTongass National Forest174,349
North ClevelandTongass National Forest105,288
South KruzofTongass National Forest55,193
California (25)
AreaForestAcres
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Castle PeakTahoe National Forest14,974
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Cub CreekLassen National Forest8,643
DomeStanislaus National Forest11,085
EagleStanislaus National Forest16,116
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
Hall Natural AreaInyo National Forest5,236
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
Hoover - Mt.olsenHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest624
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Hoover - Virginia LksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,050
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Jennie LakeSequoia National Forest2,388
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
NessieInyo National Forest830
NightStanislaus National Forest3,173
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
Raymond PeakEldorado National Forest2,518
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
Tioga LakeInyo National Forest829
Colorado (7)
AreaForestAcres
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Red TableWhite River NF39,122
San MiguelSan Juan NF64,263
Storm PeakSan Juan NF57,617
Idaho (9)
AreaForestAcres
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
Boulder - White CloudsSalmon-Challis National Forest139,297
Boulder - White CloudsSawtooth National Forest322,653
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Michigan (1)
AreaForestAcres
FibreHiawatha National Forest7,432
Montana (11)
AreaForestAcres
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest88,003
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Jerico MountainHelena National Forest8,445
Lazyman GulchHelena National Forest11,614
Lincoln GulchHelena National Forest8,250
Lolo CreekLolo National Forest14,335
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
Snowcrest MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,649
Tash PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest61,312
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Rose - GalenaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,711
New Mexico (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bull - Of - The - WoodsCarson National Forest488
Canjilon Mtn.Carson National Forest7,972
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
GallinasSanta Fe National Forest13,208
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
Valle Del ToroSanta Fe National Forest1,862
Wheeler Peak WildernessCarson National Forest2,677
Oregon (17)
AreaForestAcres
Baldy MountainMalheur National Forest6,416
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
CornpatchWillamette National Forest7,346
Echo MountainWillamette National Forest8,098
Gordon MeadowsWillamette National Forest9,463
Lick CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,956
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
North PaulinaDeschutes National Forest19,670
OlallieMt. Hood National Forest7,607
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
South PaulinaDeschutes National Forest9,074
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
Utah (18)
AreaForestAcres
418009Uinta National Forest18,064
418013Uinta National Forest14,643
418017Uinta National Forest19,631
418018Uinta National Forest11,218
418043Uinta National Forest9,493
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
Fishlake MountainFishlake National Forest25,217
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest102,398
Hilgard MountainFishlake National Forest28,389
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
Lava BedsDixie National Forest14,944
Long Neck Mesa / Steep Creek / Oak Creek - Steep Creek / OakDixie National Forest55,489
Mt. Um Plateau - Mt TerrillFishlake National Forest17,490
MytogeFishlake National Forest8,286
Raft RiverSawtooth National Forest23,969
Right Hand Fork LoganWasatch-Cache National Forest15,023
Temple PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest24,081
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
Vermont (1)
AreaForestAcres
Lye Brook Addition 09085Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,111
Washington (6)
AreaForestAcres
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest25,390
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
West Virginia (2)
AreaForestAcres
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Wyoming (14)
AreaForestAcres
Beartooth Proposed WildernessShoshone National Forest16,837
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
East Fork EncampmentMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,445
Illinois CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest6,711
Labonte CanyonMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest16,281
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
ReefShoshone National Forest16,817
Sibley LakeBighorn National Forest10,367
Sleeping GiantShoshone National Forest5,176
Walker PrairieBighorn National Forest62,434
Wapiti Valley NorthShoshone National Forest18,345
References (8)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2002b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 23. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Cyperaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 608 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  3. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  4. Kartesz, 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.
  5. NatureServe. 2025. NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
  6. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  7. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).
  8. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2025. Flora of the southeastern United States Web App. Edition of February 18, 2025. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Online. Available: https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu (accessed 2025).