Schwein.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.151412
Element CodePMCYP035J0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusCarex
SynonymsCarex crinita var. gynandra(Schwein.) Schwein. &Torr.
Other Common NamesCarex gynandre (FR) Mountain Fringed Sedge (EN) nodding 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 Date2025-07-09
Change Date1988-08-31
Edition Date2025-07-09
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 gynandra is a wide-ranging perennial graminoid in occurs in a variety of wetland habitats, including swamp forests, floodplain forests, wet meadows, marshes, bogs, and seepages. It occurs in eastern North America from Newfoundland Island and Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada south in the United States to Minnesota east to Michigan and New England south to Georgia and Tennessee, occurring primarily in the mountains in the southeastern portion of its range. There are over 750 estimated occurrences, which face threats from development, 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 gynandra occurs in eastern North America from Newfoundland Island and Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada south in the United States to Minnesota east to Michigan and New England south to Georgia and Tennessee, occurring primarily in the mountains in the southeastern portion of its range (FNA 2002, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 3 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 750 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, 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, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats.