PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Smooth Black Sedge (Carex nigra)

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Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Smooth Black Sedge (Carex nigra), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found mainly on the edge of dry meadows and wet sedge meadows and shrub-carr habitats. Blooming occurs May through August, fruiting July through August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

Carex acuta, Carex goodenowii, Carex nigra var. strictiformis, Carex vulgaris var. strictiformis

 
 
 

Smooth black sedge is a graminoid, 10-80cm tall, with 1-2 terminal staminate spikes and 2-3 proximal pistillate spikes. Perigynia are ascending, pale brown with red-brown or black spots on the top half of the tip, occasionally black on the top half of the tip, and 3-9 veins on each face. Basal sheaths are red-brown, sheaths of proximal leaves are glabrous. Pistillate scales dark purple-brown or black, shorter than the perigynia.

It can be distinguished from C lenticularis by its rhizomatous habit, dark green leaves, black scales, perigynia, and short inflorescence bract.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs May through mid-August, fruiting July through August.

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

Associated species include Alopecurus pratensis, Glyceria grandis, Carex stipata, and Scirpus rubrotinctus.

Smooth black sedge prefers wet soils and is found mainly on the edge of dry meadows and wet sedge meadows and shrub-carr habitats.

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.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

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.