Lam.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.142695
Element CodePMCYP03AP0
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 plantain (FR) plantainleaf 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 Date2025-08-12
Change Date1984-02-29
Edition Date2025-08-12
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 plantaginea is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid found in deciduous or mixed deciduous-evergreen forests, cove forests, and montane alluvial forests. It occurs in eastern North America from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, south to Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, and Iowa in the United States. There are over 1300 estimated occurrences, which face threats from forest management practices, development, recreational activities, and invasive species. 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 plantaginea occurs in eastern North America from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, south to northwestern Georgia, northeastern Alabama, Illinois, and Iowa 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 1300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsIn the southeastern portion of its range, it is somewhat threatened by forest management practices, and to a lesser extent by land-use conversion and habitat fragmentation (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002). Additional rangewide threats include development, 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, and affinity for typically abundant habitats.