Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.148063
Element CodePMCYP032X0
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 commun (FR) fibrousroot 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 CommentsCrins and Rettig in FNA (2002, vol. 23), Kartesz (1999), and the U.S. FWS (1993) recognize Carex communis var. amplisquama as distinct from typical C. communis. Weakley et al. (2025) do not saying, "Despite considerable cytogenetic and morphological variation with [Carex communis], current molecular sampling across its range does not reveal significant patterns that would justify taxonomic recognition of segregate taxa. Additional study is needed."
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-06-30
Change Date1986-04-08
Edition Date2025-06-30
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 communis is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid in deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, clearings, bluffs, and slopes. It occurs in eastern North America from Newfoundland Island and Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada and south in the United States to Georgia west to Arkansas and Oklahoma. There are over 1,100 occurrences estimated, 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 communis occurs in eastern North America from Newfoundland Island and Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada and south in the United States to Georgia west to Arkansas and Oklahoma (FNA 2002, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 3.2 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 1,100 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.