PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Slender Wood Sedge (Carex digitalis var. digitalis)

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Photo by Charles T. Bryson

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Slender Wood Sedge (Carex digitalis var. digitalis), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in rich forests in southeastern Wisconsin. Blooming occurs April through May, fruiting April through May. The optimal identification period for this species throughout May.

Carex digitalis var. asymmetrica

 
 
 

Slender wood sedge is a graminoid with a terminal, prominently peduncled staminate spike, a pistillate spike that is erect to drooping, the lowest spike basal, 6-18mm long. It has 3-9 uninflated, glaborous, three-sided perigynia per spike that are obovoid and with a short beak. Pistillate scales are acute. Leaves are erect or ascending, flat, 8-44mm long and up to 5mm wide.

It can be distinguished from the similar C laxiculmis by its narrower leaf blades.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs April through mid-May, fruiting April through May.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is May to June.

Associated species include Aster macrophyllus, Fragaria species, Luzula species, Geranium maculatum, Acer saccharum, A rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Betula papyrifera, and Ostrya virginica.

Slender wood sedge is found in rich forests in southeastern Wisconsin.

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.

Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light. See forestry BMPs for invasive species.

Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques that open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species. Seedlings and saplings of some species in openings may need to be protected from deer browse.

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.