Search Field Guide
Advanced Search
MT Gov Logo
Montana Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Sheathed Sedge - Carex vaginata

Species of Concern
Native Species

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S2?
(see State Rank Reason below)
State Threat Score: No Known Threats
C-value:


Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:


 

External Links






State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Rare in Montana, where it is currently known from one area in the northwest corner of the state, which is at the southern edge of the species' range. Additional data on population levels and trends are needed.
 
General Description
Long-rhizomatous. Stems erect, 10–40 cm. Leaves glabrous, basal and lower-cauline; blades 2–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 4 well-separated spikes; the lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence, sheathing. Spikes unisexual; the uppermost male, narrow, 1–2 cm long; the lower female, ascending, pedunculate, 1–3 cm long, cylindric. Perigynia ascending, green to brown, narrowly elliptic, glabrous, 3–5 mm long with a beak 0.5–1.2 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales with a green midstripe and hyaline margins, shorter than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, nearly filling the perigynium (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Phenology
Fruit mature in July.

Diagnostic Characteristics
Diagnostic characters of Carex vaginata include the rhizomatous habit, well-developed basal stem leaves, bracts with inflated sheaths, female flowers with 3 stigmas, and perigynia without hairs and with definite short beaks. A hand lens or microscope and technical key are needed for positive identification.

Species Range
Montana Range Range Descriptions

Native
 


Range Comments
Circumboreal south to MT, WI and NY. Known only from Lincoln County (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 8

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Predicted Suitable Habitat Model

This species has a Predicted Suitable Habitat Model available.

To learn how these Models were created see mtnhp.org/models

Stewardship Responsibility

Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Threat impact not assigned because threats are not known (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021).

References
  • Literature Cited AboveLegend:   View Online Publication
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
    • MTNHP Threat Assessment. 2021. State Threat Score Assignment and Assessment of Reported Threats from 2006 to 2021 for State-listed Vascular Plants. Botany Program, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana.
  • Additional ReferencesLegend:   View Online Publication
    Do you know of a citation we're missing?
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
  • Web Search Engines for Articles on "Sheathed Sedge"
Login Logout
Citation for data on this website:
Sheathed Sedge — Carex vaginata.  Montana Field Guide.  .  Retrieved on , from