Carex nigra (Black sedge)

Carex nigra (L.) Reichard

Black sedge, smooth black sedge

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Commelinidae	Dayflowers and spiderworts, and several others
Order	Cyperales	Flowering plants including grasses
Family	Cyperaceae	Sedge family
Genus	Carex	The “true” sedges
Species	nigra	“Black”

About plant names...

These sedges are North American natives, as well as in Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. They are named for the black color of their flowerheads.

Identification: These sedges remain under 6" (15 cm) in height, with stems up to 24" (60 cm). The black flower spikes are up to 1" (2.5 cm) long.

By Barbara Studer

Online References:

Carex nigra on

Carex nigra at Skye Flora

Carex nigra at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Carex nigra on

Carex nigra at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Carex nigra at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Carex nigra on Wikimedia Commons

References:

Knobel, Edward, Field Guide to the Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of the United States, Dover Publications Inc., 1980, p. 71

Carex acuta auct. non L.

Carex goodenowii J. Gay

Carex nigra (L.) Reichard var. strictiformis (L.H. Bailey) Fernald

Carex vulgaris Fr.

Carex nigra description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

6/16/2013 · Sonny and Donna’s, Tenant’s Harbor, Maine
≈ 5 × 8" (13 × 19 cm) ID is uncertain

9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 24 × 16" (62 × 41 cm)

6/16/2013 · Sonny and Donna’s, Tenant’s Harbor, Maine
≈ 3½ × 5" (9.8 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 24 × 16" (62 × 41 cm)

Range:

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