Willd. ex Link
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.149563
Element CodePMCYP037R2
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusCarex
SynonymsCarex lucorum ssp. lucorumCarex lucorum var. lucorumCarex pensylvanica var. distansWilld. ex Link
Other Common NamesCarex des forêts (FR) Forest 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 CommentsThis record is for the narrow treatment of Carex lucorum, excluding C. austrolucorum as a distinct species, as described by Poindexter and Naczi (2014) and recognized in Weakley et al. (2025). Crins and Rettig in FNA (2002, vol. 23) and Kartesz (1994, 1999) recognize the broader treatment, such that C. lucorum var. lucorum as recognized by FNA and Kartesz (1994, 1999) is equivalent to C. lucorum of Pointdexter and Naczi.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-10
Change Date2025-07-10
Edition Date2025-07-10
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank ReasonsCarex lucorum is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid found in pine and oak woodlands occurring in northeastern North America from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, south to Maryland, and west to Illinois and Minnesota. There are 200 estimated occurrences, and likely over 300, which face threats from development, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, and invasive species. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent, large number of occurrences, and abundant habitat, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsCarex lucorum occurs in northeastern North America from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, south to Maryland, and west to Illinois and Minnesota (FNA 2002, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 1.2 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1984 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 1984 and 2025, it is estimated that there are approximately 200 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). This diminutive graminoid is likely overlooked in photo-based observations, underrepresented in herbaria collections, not all collections are georeferenced, and anecdotal comments support the likelihood that there are over 300 occurrences rangewide.
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).