Muhl. ex Willd.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.889696
Element CodePMCYP03AA1
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusCarex
SynonymsCarex pedunculata ssp. pedunculataCarex pedunculata var. pedunculata
Other Common NamesCarex pédonculé (FR) Long-stalked Sedge (EN) Longstalked Sedge (EN) longstalk sedge (EN)
Concept ReferenceWeakley, A. S., J. C. Ludwig, and J. F. Townsend. 2012a. Flora of Virginia. Bland Crowder, ed. Foundation of the Flora of Virginia Project Inc., Richmond. Fort Worth: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press.
Taxonomic CommentsThis record represents the narrow concept of Carex pedunculata, excluding C. pedunculata var. erythrobasis (from Korea), as recognized by the Global Carex Group (2021) and Weakley et al. (2025). In contrast, FNA (2002, vol. 23) and Weakley et al. (2012) include var. erythrobasis and identify the North American variety as C. pedunculata var. pedunculata (equivalent to this narrow treatment of C. pedunculata). Kartesz (1994) does not list varieties.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-12
Change Date2025-08-12
Edition Date2025-08-12
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsCarex pedunculata is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid found in mixed forests and woodland openings. It occurs in North America from British Columbia east to Newfoundland Island and Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, and South Dakota in the United States. There are an estimated 1500 occurrences, which face threats from development, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, 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 CommentsCarex pedunculata occurs in North America from British Columbia east to Newfoundland Island and Nova Scotia, Canada, south to northwestern Georgia, northern Alabama, southern Missouri, and South Dakota in the United States (FNA 2002, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 6 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 1500 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, 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.