PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
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Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Hair-like Sedge (Carex capillaris)

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Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Hair-like Sedge (Carex capillaris), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in brushy white cedar thickets along Great Lakes, with dolomite or sandstone near the surface, as well as in calcareous cedar swamps. Blooming occurs late-May through early-June, fruiting late-June through late-July. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through early-July.

Carex capillaris ssp. chlorostachys, Carex capillaris ssp. robustior, Carex capillaris var. elongata, Carex capillaris var. major

 
 
 
Identification

Hair-like sedge is a graminoid, 15-40cm tall, with a terminal spike that's usually male, level with or over-topped by some lateral spikes. It has 2-4 lateral spikes, 6-20-flowered, the lowest spikes drooping on long capillary peduncles, pistillate spikes are less than 15mm long. Perigynia are veinless, except for 2 marginal veins, oblong-ovate, 2-3mm long, tapering to a short, poorly defined beak, achenes are obovoid. Blades are flat, folded in dwarf individuals, V-shaped in cross section when young, or filiform or channeled. The widest leaves are 1-4mm, and glabrous, sheathes are membranous.

Distinguishing characteristics include it being densely tufted, cespitose, with very narrow, channeled leaves and stems that are slender and lax, its staminate terminal spike, its drooping lowest pistallate spikes on long capillary peduncles, its pistillate spikes being less than 15mm long, and its perigynia with 2 to 3 main veins that tapers into poorly defined beaks.

Phenology and Reproduction

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs late-May through early-June, fruiting late-June through late-July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through early-July.

Ecology and Associated Species

Associated species include Thuja occidentalis, Primula mistassinica, Carex concinna, C castanea, Ledum groenlandicum, Sorbus decora, Betula papyrifera, Lobelia kalmii, and Picea glauca.

Habitat

Hair-like sedge prefers moist, calcareous or sandy soils and is found in brushy white cedar thickets along Great Lakes, with dolomite or sandstone near the surface, as well as in calcareous cedar swamps.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.

Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Wildlife Action Plan

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

For more information, contact

Kevin Doyle
Conservation Biologist
tel:+1-608-416-3377