Carex lasiocarpa Provisional Herbaceous Alliance
Slender sedge meadows
Slender sedge meadows
Summary Information
- Primary Life FormHerb
- Elevation1200-2100 m
- State RarityS3?
- Global RarityG5?
- DistributionCAN: AB, BC, MB, ON, QC. USA: AK, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NY OR, SD UT, VT WA, WI (NatureServe)
- Endemic to CaliforniaNo
- Endemic to California Floristic Province and DesertsNo
- Date Added2009/09/01
Characteristic Species
Carex lasiocarpa is dominant in the herbaceous layer with Argentina anserina, Carex aquatilis, Carex integra, Carex utriculata, Poa pratensis and Symphyotrichum spathulatum. Emergent trees or shrubs may be present at low cover, including Salix geyeriana, Salix lemmonii or Salix lucida.
Vegetation Layers
Herbs < 1 m; cover is continuous.
Habitats
Wet meadows, basins, basin fens, lake margins. Soils are predominantly loamy and peaty with thick accumulations of decomposing sedges. The USFWS Wetland Inventory (1996 national list) recognizes Carex lasiocarpa as NI in California and as an OBL in other regions.
Other Habitat, Alliance, and Community Groupings
MCV (1995) | Sedge series |
NVCS (2009) | Carex lasiocarpa saturated herbaceous alliance, Carex lasiocarpa seasonally flooded herbaceous alliance, Carex oligosperma-Carex lasiocarpa saturated herbaceous alliance |
Calveg | Wet grasses and forbs |
Holland | Wet montane meadow, Fen |
Munz | Freshwater marsh |
WHR | Wet meadow |
CDFW CA Code | 45.166.00 |
Remarks
Carex lasiocarpa (a CNPS list 2.3 plant) is a tufted sedge species to 1 m in height arising from creeping rhizomes. The fruits are distinctly fuzzy-hairy, distinguishing it from many other sedges. Stands appear pale green at a distance, because of dried, faded foliage. The species is circumpolar in range and common in boreal wetlands throughout northern North America. Some botanical references use the name C. lanuginosa for this sedge.
The National Vegetation Classification (NatureServe 2007a) recognizes three alliances involving C. lasiocarpa in the Cascade Range, and Christy (2004) recognized a Carex lasiocarpa association in northwestern Oregon. Stands occur in moderately rich to rich fens and high montane marshes that often have calcareous groundwater. The sites have shallow to deep peat and are often flooded throughout the growing season (Hansen et al. 1995). C. lasiocarpa is typically the dominant, while C. aquatilis, C. utriculata, and other sedges are occasionally present on raised microsites (Padgett et al. 1989). Because C. lasiocarpa is highly palatable to livestock, it is removed readily by season-long grazing and replaced by Poa pratensis (S. Smith 1998).
The National Vegetation Classification (NatureServe 2007a) recognizes three alliances involving C. lasiocarpa in the Cascade Range, and Christy (2004) recognized a Carex lasiocarpa association in northwestern Oregon. Stands occur in moderately rich to rich fens and high montane marshes that often have calcareous groundwater. The sites have shallow to deep peat and are often flooded throughout the growing season (Hansen et al. 1995). C. lasiocarpa is typically the dominant, while C. aquatilis, C. utriculata, and other sedges are occasionally present on raised microsites (Padgett et al. 1989). Because C. lasiocarpa is highly palatable to livestock, it is removed readily by season-long grazing and replaced by Poa pratensis (S. Smith 1998).
Observations
The range of Carex lasiocarpa includes the Sierra Nevada (M261E) and Southern Cascades (M261D) at montane to subalpine elevations. Cooper and Wolf (2006) recognized a Carex lasiocarpa association in two basin fens in Lassen National Forest, and S. Smith (1998b) described a (Carex lanuginosa) meadow type in northeastern California. We need additional sampling to understand the role of C. lasiocarpa in the mountain meadows of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada.
References
- [1] Cooper, D.J.;Wolf, E.C. 2006
- [2] Smith, S. 1998b
- Christy, J.A. 2004