Carex debilis

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Distribution Map: Based on vouchered plant specimens from wild populations. Cultivated occurrences are not mapped. View county names by placing the cursor over the map.

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Family:	CYPERACEAE
Species:	Carex debilis Michx.
Common Name:	WHITE-EDGE SEDGE
Status:	Native, FACW (DEP), FACW (NWPL)
Specimen:	View details of USF Herbarium specimens

** Not applicable or data not available.

Classification

Division
Class
Sub Class
Order	POALES
Family	CYPERACEAE
Genus	Carex
Species	Carex debilis Michx. - WHITE-EDGE SEDGE

Citation

Citation	CAREX DEBILIS Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 172. 1803.
Basionym:	**
Type:	SOUTH CAROLINA:

** Not applicable or data not available.

Source

County	Herbaria	Literature Citation (If Applicable)
Alachua	USF
Bay	FSU
Calhoun	USF
Clay	USF
Escambia	USF USF
Franklin	FSU
Gadsden	USF
Gulf	FSU
Hamilton	FTG
Hernando	USF
Holmes	USF
Jackson	USF
Jefferson	USF
Leon	USF
Levy	USF
Liberty	FTG
Marion	USF
Nassau	USF
Okaloosa	FTG
Santa Rosa	USF
St. Johns	USF
Wakulla	USF
Walton	USF
Washington	FSU

Synonyms

– Denotes synonyms that are applicable to the state. Show these synonyms only

Synonym	Full Citation	Basionym	Type
Carex debilis var. prolixa	Carex debilis Michaux, var. prolixa L. H. Bailey, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 22: 105. 1886.		TYPE: FLORIDA/LOUISIANA:
Carex debilis var. typica	Carex debilis Michaux, var. typica Fernald, Rhodora 44: 310. 1942, nom. inadmiss.	BASIONYM: Carex debilis Michaux 1803.
Carex allegheniensis	Carex allegheniensis Mackenzie, in Britton, N. Amer. Fl. 18: 291. 1935.	BASIONYM: Carex debilis Michaux, var. pubera A. Gray 1867.
Carex debilis subsp. pubera	Carex debilis Michaux, subsp. pubera (A. Gray) Á. Löve & D. Löve, Univ. Colorado Stud. Biol. Ser. 17: 16. 1965.	BASIONYM: Carex debilis Michaux, var. pubera A. Gray 1867.
Carex debilis subsp. rudgei	Carex debilis Michaux, subsp. rudgei (L. H. Bailey) A. Löve & D. Löve, Univ. Colorado Stud. Biol. Ser. 17: 16. 1965.	BASIONYM: Carex debilis Michaux, var. rudgei L. H. Bailey 1889; Carex tenuis Rudge 1804, non J. F. Gmelin 1791.
Carex debilis var. intercursa	Carex debilis Michaux, var. intercursa Fernald, Rhodora 44: 307. 1942.		TYPE: VIRGINIA: Greensville Co.: Near Readjuster Bridge of Nottoway River, NE of Orion, 13 Jun 1940, Fernald & Long 12016 (holotype: GH; isotype: PH).
Carex debilis var. interjecta	Carex debilis Michaux, var. interjecta L. H. Bailey, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 20: 418. 1893.		TYPE: NEW YORK: Yates Co.: Penn Yan,
Carex debilis var. pubera	Carex debilis Michaux, var. pubera A. Gray, Manual, ed. 5. 593. 1897.		TYPE: PENNSYLVANIA: Centre Co.: Bear Meadows,
Carex debilis var. rudgei	Carex debilis Michaux, var. rudgei L. H. Bailey, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 1: 34. 1889.	BASIONYM: Carex tenuis Rudge 1804, non J. F. Gmelin 1791.
Carex debilis var. strictior	Carex debilis Michaux, var. strictior L. H. Bailey, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 1: 34. 1889.		TYPE: NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Carex flexuosa	Carex flexuosa Muhlenberg ex Willdenow, Sp. Pl. 4: 297. 1805.		TYPE: PENNSYLVANIA:
Carex tenuis	Carex tenuis Rudge, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 7: 97, pl. 9(2). 1804, non J. F. Gmelin 1791.		TYPE: NEW YORK:
Carex tenuis var. erectior	Carex tenuis Rudge, var. erectior Britton, in Britton & Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U.S. 1: 321. 1896, nom. illegit.	BASIONYM: Carex debilis Michaux, var. strictior L. H. Bailey 1889.
Carex tenuis var. interjecta	Carex tenuis Rudge, var. interjecta (L. H. Bailey) Britton, in Britton & Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U.S. 1: 320. 1896.	BASIONYM: Carex debilis Michaux, var. interjecta L. H. Bailey 1893.

Specimens

Country	State	County	Date	Specimen
USA	Florida	Alachua Co.	27 Apr 1991	R. Mears s.n.
USA	Florida	Jefferson Co.	19 Apr 1958	R. Kral 6374
USA	Florida	Jefferson Co.	28 Apr 1958	R. Kral 6461
USA	Florida	Hernando Co.	05 Jun 1958	R. Kral 6636
USA	Florida	Walton Co.	15 May 1983	G. Wilhelm 11379
USA	Florida	Marion Co.	24 Apr 1975	S. T. Cooper 486
USA	Florida	Nassau Co.	05 Jun 2000	C. Slaughter 11685
USA	Florida	Santa Rosa Co.	09 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21483
USA	Florida	Holmes Co.	08 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21437
USA	Florida	Walton Co.	08 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21430
USA	Florida	Levy Co.	18 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21642
USA	Florida	Marion Co.	17 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21601
USA	Florida	Clay Co.	25 Mar 1993	S. L. Orzell 21337
USA	Florida	Alachua Co.	06 Apr 1992	S. L. Orzell 19309
USA	Florida	Escambia Co.	09 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21450
USA	Florida	Calhoun Co.	20 Mar 1992	S. L. Orzell 19242
USA	Florida	Jefferson Co.	06 Apr 1992	S. L. Orzell 19296
USA	Florida	Walton Co.	08 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21413
USA	Florida	Wakulla Co.	03 Apr 1993	S. L. Orzell 21370
USA	Florida	Leon Co.	31 Mar 1990	S. L. Orzell 13055
USA	Florida	Gadsden Co.	24 Mar 1990	S. L. Orzell 13000
USA	Florida	Jackson Co.	16 Apr 1955	R. K. Godfrey 53181
USA	Florida	St. Johns Co.	11 Apr 2014	C. Slaughter 18214
USA	Florida	St. Johns Co.	11 Apr 2014	C. Slaughter 18238
USA	Louisiana	Vernon Par.	29 Apr 1955	G. R. Cooley 4016
USA	Louisiana	Vernon Par.	29 Apr 1955	G. R. Cooley 4028
USA	Mississippi	Tishomingo Co.	13 Jun 1956	J. D. Ray, Jr. 6346
USA	Mississippi	Tishomingo Co.	13 Jun 1956	J. D. Ray, Jr. 6343
USA	Mississippi	George Co.	18 Apr 1957	J. D. Ray, Jr. 8135
USA	Georgia	Decatur Co.	29 Apr 1998	J. H. Exum
USA	Mississippi	Forrest Co.	08 Apr 1991	S. L. Orzell 16262
USA	Arkansas		10 May 1925	J. K. Small 12499
USA	Alabama	Baldwin Co.	20 May 1981	G. Wilhelm 8960
USA	Mississippi	Pearl River Co.	19 Apr 1957	J. D. Ray, Jr. 8103
USA	Mississippi	Jefferson Co.	26 Jun 1957	J. D. Ray, Jr. 8363
USA	North Carolina	Gates Co.	07 May 1974	L. J. Musselman 4696
USA	South Carolina	Pickens Co.	28 May 1993	S. R. Hill 25067
USA	South Carolina	Horry Co.	18 Apr 1932	C. A. Weatherby 16457
USA	North Carolina	Yancey Co.	07 Jun 1958	H. E. Ahles 42688
USA	North Carolina		16 Jun 1968	A. E. Radford 45519
USA	Georgia	Walker Co.	20 May 1951	W. H. Duncan 12492
USA	South Carolina	Richland Co.	29 Apr 2016	J. B. Nelson 35112
USA	Pennsylvania	Jefferson Co.	06 Jul 2000	S. R. Hill 32579
USA	Wisconsin	Jackson Co.	24 May 1958	T. G. Hartley 3455
USA	Maine	Washington Co.	07 Jul 1905	A. W. Cheever s.n.
USA	Kentucky	Pulaski Co.	09 Jun 1992	J. R. Abbott 2497
Canada	Quebec Prov.	Argenteuil Co.	06 Jul 1949	Fr. Rolland-Germain 2458
USA	Pennsylvania	Jefferson Co.	02 Jul 2002	S. R. Hill 34794
USA	Maine	Hancock Co.	24 Jun 2004	S. R. Hill 36012
USA	Maine	Washington Co.	29 Jun 2002	S. R. Hill 34772
USA	Massachusetts	Monroe Co.	10 Jun 1889	T. C. Porter s.n.
USA	South Carolina	Clarendon Co.	03 May 2019	J. B. Nelson 40250

Listed Status: Florida

Listed Status:	(Florida):Source - Plants in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act. Chapter 5B-40, Florida Administrative Code. 1998, amended.
Endangered:	A species of plants native to the state that are in imminent danger of extinction within the state, the survival of which is unlikely if the causes of a decline in the number of plants continue, and includes all species determined to be endangered or threatened pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
Threatened:	Listed as Threatened Plants in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act. Defined as species of plants native to the state that are in rapid decline in the number of plants within the state, but which have not so decreased in such number as to cause them to be endangered.

Listed Status: US

Listed Status: US	(U.S.) Source - List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
Endangered:	Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Threatened:	Any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

WAP: Wetland AssessmentProcedure

Wetland Assessment Procedure (WAP): Source - Southwest Florida Water Management District, Wetland Assessment Procedure Instruction Manual for Isolated Wetlands (March 2005).

AD:	Adaptive Species. Plant species designated as FAC or Upland by DEP, but commonly seen in the transition zone in limited numbers.
D:	Deep Species. Plant species commonly found in the deep zone, and designated either FAC or OBL by DEP.
OD:	Outer Deep Species. Plant species commonly found in the outer deep zone, and designated either FACW or OBL by DEP.
T:	Transition Species. Plant species commonly found in the transition zone, and designated either FACW or OBL by DEP.
U:	Upland Species. Plant species that are not expected to be seen in wetlands.

ANY - WAP critieria is not taken into consideration
Yes - Show results with WAP designations
No - Show results without WAP designations

FISC: Florida Invasive Species Council

FISC:

Source - Florida Invasive Species Council's 2017 List of Florida's Most Invasive Species

Category I - Species that are invading and disrupting native plant communities in Florida. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused.

Category II - Species that have shown a potential to disrupt native plant communities. These species may become ranked as Category I, but have not yet demonstrated disruption of natural Florida communities.

DEP: Department of Environmental Protection

Wetland Status, Department of Environmental Regulation (DEP): Source - Delineation of the Landward Extent of Wetlands and Surface Waters, Chapter 62-340, Florida Administrative Code. 1994.

OBL:	Obligate wetland. Occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands.
FACW:	Facultative Wetland. Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally found in non-wetlands
FAC:	Facultative. equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands.

NWPL: National Wetland Plant List

National Wetland Plant List (NWPL): Source - Lichvar, R.W., M. Butterwick, N.C. Melvin, and W.N. Kirchner. 2014. The National Wetland Plant List: 2014 Update of Wetland Ratings. Phytoneuron 2014-41: 1-42.

OBL:	Obligate Wetland. Occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in wetlands.
FACW:	Facultative Wetland. Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67%-99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands.
FAC:	Facultative. Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands (estimated probability 34%-66%).
FACU:	Facultative Upland. Usually occurs in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67%-99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1%-33%).
UPL:	Obligate Upland. Occurs in wetlands in another region, but occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in non-wetlands in the regions specified.

Persisting

Identifying species that appear as waifs or only periodically appear in the flora for a few seasons.

Any - Persisting critieria is not taken into consideration
Yes - Show results with a Persisting value of Y
No - Show results without Persisting value of N

Duration

Annual:	Plants that perform their entire lifecycle within a single growing season. All roots, stems, and leaves die at the end of the growing season. Over wintering seeds allow the next generation to appear.
Biennial:	A plant that is typically vegetative its first year and blooms the following season. Once it has bloomed and set seed, the plant dies. Garlic mustard is an example of a biennial.
Perennial:	These plants live for three or more seasons. Many perennials may not be mature enough to bloom during its first year. Perennial wildflowers re-grow each season from overwinter root material.

Category

Vascular:	Any of various plants that have the vascular tissues xylem and phloem. The vascular plants include all seed-bearing plants (the gymnosperms and angiosperms) and the pteridophytes (including the ferns, lycophytes, and horsetails). Also called tracheophyte.
Bryophyte:	A large group of seedless green plants including the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Bryophytes lack the specialized tissues xylem and phloem that circulate water and dissolved nutrients in the vascular plants. Bryophytes generally live on land but are mostly found in moist environments, for they have free-swimming sperm that require water for transport. In contrast to the vascular plants, the gametophyte (haploid) generation of bryophytes constitutes the larger plant form, while the small sporophyte (diploid) generation grows on or within the gametophyte and depends upon it for nutrition.
Lichen:	The mutualistic symbiotic association of a fungus with an alga or a cyanobacterium, or both. The fungal component of a lichen absorbs water and nutrients from the surroundings and provides a suitable environment for the alga or cyanobacterium. These live protected among the dense fungal hyphae and produce carbohydrates for the fungus by photosynthesis. Owing to this partnership, lichens can thrive in harsh environments such as mountaintops and polar regions. The more familiar lichens grow slowly as crusty patches, but lichens are found in a variety of forms, such as the tall, plantlike reindeer moss. The association between the different organisms in a lichen is so close that lichens are routinely referred to as a single organism, and scientists classify lichens using the name of the fungal component.

(Definitions from: American Heritage Science Dictionary)

Growth Habit

Intro paragraph to be provided by New York.

Vine:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.
Shrub:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.
Tree:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.
Et cetera:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.

State Rank

This numeric rank provides the relative rarity for each species based on a scale from 1 (very rare) to 5 (common). These ranks carry no legal status.

S1 - Typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state.
S2 - Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state.
S3 - Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state.
S4 - Apparently secure in the state.
S5 - Demonstrably secure in the state.
SE - State exotic or non-native.
SH - Historically known from the state, but not seen in the past 15 years.
SNA - Species for which a rank is not applicable. This is mainly those species which are now excluded from flora for various reasons.
SNR - Not yet ranked.
SX - Apparently extirpated from the state.

Global Rank

Each species' global rank is determined by NatureServe. These ranks carry no legal weight. The global rank reflects the species worldwide rarity.

G1 - Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences), or very few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or especially vulnerable to extinction because of some factor of its biology.
G2 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors.
G3 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors.
G4 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors.
G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
GH - Historically known, with the expectation that it might be rediscovered.
GNA - Species for which a rank is not applicable. NatureServe does not typically rank hybrid species.
GNR - Not yet ranked.
GX - Species believed to be extinct.

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Associated Ecological Communities

View a List of All Ecological Communities

For more information, contact: Richard Wunderlin or Bruce Hansen, Alan Franck, or Karla Alvarado

Web Development: USF Water Institute

A member of the University of South Florida family of PlantAtlas.org websites

Citation Information:

Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2023. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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Definition: Vouchered Specimen

A voucher specimen is a pressed and thoroughly dried plant sample deposited in a herbarium, and is intended to be a permanent record supporting research purposes. A voucher may be a record of a plant's occurrence in a particular area, or a specific example of a plant used in a scientific investigation.

Proper vouchers display all the necessary attributes for complete identification of the plant, and are to be accompanied by accurate locality, habitat, collection time, and collector data.

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