Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.131205
Element CodePMCYP031F0
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 NamesBack's sedge (EN) Carex de Back (FR)
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 CommentsThe appropriate common name is 'Back's Sedge', as the common name 'Rocky Mountain Sedge' is used for Carex saximontana.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-06-24
Change Date2012-03-04
Edition Date2025-06-24
Edition AuthorsGeoffrey Hall (1998), 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 backii is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid in a variety of forests occurring in northern North America from New Brunswick west to British Columbia, Canada and south in the United States through New England west to Iowa, North Dakota, and Idaho south to Colorado. There are estimated to be over 300 occurrences, which face threats from development, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, recreational activities, and invasive species. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsCarex backii occurs in northern North America from New Brunswick west to British Columbia, Canada and south in the United States through New England west to Iowa, North Dakota, and Idaho south to Colorado (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated to be over 5 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 300 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, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, recreational activities, 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, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.