Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.152577
Element CodePMCYP03DU0
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 NamesCarex tordu (FR) Streambed Sedge (EN) twisted 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.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-20
Change Date1984-02-29
Edition Date2025-08-20
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsCarex torta is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid found in rocky streambeds. It occurs in eastern North America from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, and Iowa south to Georgia west to Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma in the United States. There are over 550 estimated occurrences, which potentially face threats from development, hydrological alteration, flooding and intense storms, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsCarex torta occurs in eastern North America from Nova Scotia west to Ontario (presumed extirpated), Canada, and Iowa south to northern Georgia west to northwestern Mississippi, western Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma in the United States (FNA 2002, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 2 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 550 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is potentially threatened by development, hydrological alteration, flooding and intense storms, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.