Michx.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1371852
Element CodePMCYP03PD0
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 faux-scirpe (FR) Northern Single-spike Sedge (EN) northern singlespike sedge (EN) Scirpus-like Sedge (EN) Single-spike Sedge (EN)
Concept ReferenceFlora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2002b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 23. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Cyperaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 608 pp.
Taxonomic CommentsThis record is for a broad treatment of Carex scirpoidea, including C. scirpoidea ssp. pseudoscirpoidea (as well as subspecies convoluta and stenochlaena), as recognized by Dunlop in FNA (2002, vol. 23) and Kartesz (1999). Other treatments distinguish Carex pseudoscirpoidea as a distinct species (e.g., Ackerfield (2022), Kartesz (1994)). Carex curatorum is generally recognized as a distinct species.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-03
Change Date2025-08-13
Edition Date2025-08-13
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 scirpoidea is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid found in a variety of open habitat types, including fens, shorelines, prairie pavement barrens, dry ridge sites, fellfields, and alpine tundra, with four subspecies. It occurs in northern and western North America from Alaska, United States, and throughout Canada south to Maine west to New York, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Utah, and California in the United States, as well as Greenland, Europe, and Asia. There are over 1000 estimated occurrences, which face threats from development, grazing, peat mining, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, recreational activities, hydrological alteration, 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 scirpoidea occurs in northern and western North America from Alaska, United States, and throughout Canada south to Maine west to New York, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Utah, and California in the United States, as well as Greenland, Europe, and Asia (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated to be over 20 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). See individual entries for distribution details about the four subspecies.
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 1000 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, grazing, peat mining, rights-of-way maintenance, logging, recreational activities (especially off-road vehicles), hydrological alteration, 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.