PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Ravenfoot Sedge (Carex crus-corvi)

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Photo by Robert H. Read

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Ravenfoot Sedge (Carex crus-corvi), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found along ephemeral woodland ponds. Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting throughout July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through early-July.

Carex bayardii

 
 
 

Ravenfoot sedge is a graminoid with culms that are 40-80cm. It has a densely spicate inflorescences that's cylindric, and elongate, with 15-25 distinguishable branches. Perigynia are pale brown, red-brown distally, 10-12-veined abaxially, 5-veined adaxially. Beak is up to 4.5mm, mouth deeper abaxially, serrulate, apical teeth are somewhat spreading, achenes are ovate. All sheaths have blades, fronts are smooth, red spotted, indistinctly linearly veined, apex is red-brown, membranous, truncate, and minutely ciliate, blades are glaucous and not epistomic.

Distinguishing characteristics include its cespitose habit, 6-8mm perigynia with broad spongy bases and prominent beaks that are at least twice as long as the body of the perigynia, and the smooth front of leaf sheath that is dotted with red.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting occurs throughout July.

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

Associated species include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Acer rubrum, A saccharinum, Ulmus americana, Ranunculus flabellaris, Penthorum sedoides, Glyceria grandis, Carex lupuliformis, and C tuckermanii.

Ravenfoot sedge prefers moist soils and is found along ephemeral woodland ponds.

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.

Avoid direct disturbance near wet areas such as small ponds, ephemeral ponds, or swales within woodlands.

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

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

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.

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.