Buxbaum’s sedge (Carex buxbaumii spp. buxbaumii)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Carex buxbaumii spp. buxbaumii Wahlenb.
Common name(s):	Buxbaum’s sedge

Map showing the present distribution of this weed.

Habitat:

Coastal prairie, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, subalpine forest, wet-land-riparian…Occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands. “Peat bogs, marshes. Requires a moist environment, including being rooted in saturated soil” (U.S. co-op 2000). “Swampy flats at higher altitude” (Wilson 1996). “Fens, margins of lakes, often bordering outflow streams, always in areas which are periodically inundated” (Plantnetwork, No date). Potential threat is flooding by beavers, which needs to be prevented. Variety of wet habitats but prefers calcareous sites. Grows in rich fens, swamps, wet meadows, ice scoured river edges, lake shores, vernal ponds, shores, old bogs, marly bogs (NYNHP 2009). Prairie swales, wet river bottom prairie, alluvial meadows and springs…Seldom-listed habitats: rocky places along the Lake Superior shore, swampy or wet woods (Natureserve 2009).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Pasture irrigated; water

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; swampy scrub; freshwater wetland (permanent); treed swampy wetland; damp forest; riparian; wet forest; rainforest; high altitude shrubland/woodland; high altitude wetland; alpine treeless; riverine woodland/forest; saline wetland

Colours indicate possibility of Carex buxbaumii spp. buxbaumii infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	“Additional potential threats include recreation (ORV use, hiking, horseback riding) and grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). Stems 25-100cm (Hickman 1993). “Grass-like perennial” (NYNHP 2009). Unlikely to be a nuisance as foot and vehicle traffic are a potential threat to it. Could also navigate fairly easily around a plant this size.	l	ml
2. Reduce tourism?	“Additional potential threats include recreation (ORV use, hiking, horseback riding) and grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). Stems 25-100cm (Hickman 1993). “Grass-like perennial” (NYNHP 2009). Weed is more likely to be effected by tourism. Weeds probably not obvious to the ‘average’ visitor.	l	m
3. Injurious to people?	Carex “Etymology: (Latin: cutter, from sharp leaf and stem edges) (Hickman 1993). Stems may cause some irritation to skin i.e. minor scratches or rashes	ml	ml
4. Damage to cultural sites?	“Spreads by long rhizomes” (Natureserve 2009). May cause moderate structural effect.	mh	ml
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	“Fens, margins of lakes, often bordering outflow streams, always in areas which are periodically inundated” (Plantnetwork, No date). Requires a moist environment, including being rooted in saturated soil” (U.S. co-op 2000). Stems 25-100cm (Hickman 1993). Potential threat is flooding by beavers, which needs to be prevented (NYNHP 2009). Grows in shallow or boarders waterways, hence having little affect on flow.	l	ml
6. Impact water quality?	“Fens, margins of lakes, often bordering outflow streams, always in areas which are periodically inundated” (Plantnetwork, No date). Requires a moist environment, including being rooted in saturated soil” (U.S. co-op 2000). Stems 25-100cm (Hickman 1993). Potential threat is flooding by beavers, which needs to be prevented (NYNHP 2009). Grows in shallow or boarders waterways, hence having little affect on flow.	l	ml
7. Increase soil erosion?	“This is one of the most effective genera for knitting moist or wet soil” (Hickman 1993). Decreases the probability of soil erosion.	l	m
8. Reduce biomass?	No information found in relation to what other species this will replace.	m	l
9. Change fire regime?	No information found.	m	l
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Foothill Box Ironbark Forest (V); CMA =East Gippsland; Bioregion =East Gippsland Uplands; H CLIMATE potential. “This plant may be impacted by invasive wetland species” (NYNHP 2009). “Threatened by foot traffic” (Californian Native Plant Society 2009). Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator spp. within any one strata/layer (e.g. ground cover, forbs, shrubs & tees).	ml	h
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Lowland Forest (D); CMA =Corangamite; Bioregion =Otway Ranges; H CLIMATE potential. “This plant may be impacted by invasive wetland species” (NYNHP 2009). “Threatened by foot traffic” (Californian Native Plant Society 2009). Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator spp. within any one strata/layer (e.g. ground cover, forbs, shrubs & tees).	ml	h
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Montane Dry Woodland (LC); CMA =West Gippsland; Bioregion =Victorian Alps; H CLIMATE potential. “This plant may be impacted by invasive wetland species” (NYNHP 2009). “Threatened by foot traffic” (Californian Native Plant Society 2009). Major displacement of some dominant spp. within a strata/layer (or some dominant spp. within different layers).	mh	h
11. Impact on structure?	“This plant may be impacted by invasive wetland species” (NYNHP 2009). “Threatened by foot traffic” (Californian Native Plant Society 2009). Minor or negligible effect on <20% of the floral strata/layers present; usually only affecting one of the strata.	l	ml
12. Effect on threatened flora?	Effects on threatened flora were not found.	ml	l
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	Effects on threatened fauna were not found.	ml	l
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	No information found.	m	l
15. Benefits fauna?	“Mice, grasshoppers, and voles can be a problem. Especially in winter, mice and voles can destroy a stand of sedge by feasting on the shoots and roots” Carex “are hiding spots for many insects and animals, especially frogs and other small water-loving amphibians. Thos growing in shallow water provide spawning ground for fish. Sandhill cranes may be seen making their nests in the hills of a sedge meadow (G. & S. Speichert 2004). May provide some assistance in food or shelter to desirable species.	mh	m
16. Injurious to fauna?	“Mice, grasshoppers, and voles can be a problem. Especially in winter, mice and voles can destroy a stand of sedge by feasting on the shoots and roots” Carex “are hiding spots for many insects and animals, especially frogs and other small water-loving amphibians. Thos growing in shallow water provide spawning ground for fish. Sandhill cranes may be seen making their nests in the hills of a sedge meadow (G. & S. Speichert 2004). Probably not injurious to fauna considering fauna are known to live amongst Carex species.	l	l
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	“Mice, grasshoppers, and voles can be a problem. Especially in winter, mice and voles can destroy a stand of sedge by feasting on the shoots and roots (G. & S. Speichert 2004). Supplies food for one or more minor pest spp.	ml	m
18. Provides harbor?	Carex “are hiding spots for many insects and animals, especially frogs and other small water-loving amphibians. Thos growing in shallow water provide spawning ground for fish. Sandhill cranes may be seen making their nests in the hills of a sedge meadow (G. & S. Speichert 2004). Not likely to provide harbour to serious pests as it is in such wet conditions but could provide harbor to other introduced fauna or minor pest species.	ml	ml
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	“Additional potential threats include recreation (ORV use, hiking, horseback riding) and grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). “Some introduced species have been planted along roadsides or used for soil stabilisation and have spread into nearby pasture or bushland (Richardson et al 2006). Reasons for decline: pasture improvement (Plantnet, No date). Unlikely to cope in agricultural circumstances.	l	ml
20. Impact quality?	“Additional potential threats include recreation (ORV use, hiking, horseback riding) and grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). “Some introduced species have been planted along roadsides or used for soil stabilisation and have spread into nearby pasture or bushland (Richardson et al 2006). Reasons for decline: pasture improvement (Plantnet, No date). Unlikely to cope in agricultural circumstances.	l	ml
21. Affect land value?	“Additional potential threats include recreation (ORV use, hiking, horseback riding) and grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). “Some introduced species have been planted along roadsides or used for soil stabilisation and have spread into nearby pasture or bushland (Richardson et al 2006). Reasons for decline: pasture improvement (Plantnet, No date). Unlikely to cope in agricultural circumstances.	l	ml
22. Change land use?	“Additional potential threats include recreation (ORV use, hiking, horseback riding) and grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). “Some introduced species have been planted along roadsides or used for soil stabilisation and have spread into nearby pasture or bushland (Richardson et al 2006). Reasons for decline: pasture improvement (Plantnet, No date). Unlikely to cope in agricultural circumstances.	l	ml
23. Increase harvest costs?	“Additional potential threats include recreation (ORV use, hiking, horseback riding) and grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). “Some introduced species have been planted along roadsides or used for soil stabilisation and have spread into nearby pasture or bushland (Richardson et al 2006). Reasons for decline: pasture improvement (Plantnet, No date). Unlikely to cope in agricultural circumstances.	l	ml
24. Disease host/vector?	Carex species are sometimes infested by aphids at the stem of the base (Brickell 1996). Provides a host to common pest.	m	m

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	To propagate, grow seeds in a clay pot and leave to stand in water in a cold frame. Seedlings are pricked out and plants are kept moist at all times… Sow in situ in the spring in a moist soil in light shade…Seeds usually germinate in 2-6 weeks at 15ºC (Plantnetwork, No date). Possibly requires natural seasonal rainfall, spring/summer temperatures for germination.	mh	ml
2. Establishment requirements?	Requires a moist environment, including being rooted in saturated soil” (U.S. co-op 2000). Requires more specific requirements to establish i.e. very moist to saturated soil.	ml	m
3. How much disturbance is required?	“Some introduced species have been planted along roadsides or used for soil stabilization and have spread into nearby pasture or bushland (Richardson et al 2006). Could establish in healthy and undisturbed natural ecosystems.	h	ml
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Rhizomatous (Wilson 1996). Geophyte.	ml	mh
5. Allelopathic properties?	Not described as having allelopathic properties. (Calflora 2009; G. & S. Speichert 2004; U.S. co-op 2000; NYNHP 2009; Natureserve 2009).	l	l
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	“Mice, grasshoppers, and voles can be a problem. Especially in winter, mice and voles can destroy a stand of sedge by feasting on the shoots and roots (G. & S. Speichert 2004). Additional potential threats include grazing” (U.S. co-op 2000). Preferred food of herbivores. Could be eliminated by moderate herbivory or reproduction entirely prevented.	l	m
7. Normal growth rate?	No information found.	m	l
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	“Requires moist environment, including being rooted in saturated soil. Any changes to the hydrology of a site would be detrimental to the species” (U.S. co-op 2000). Coastal prairie. Occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands. Elevation between 20 an 10702 feet (Calflora 2009). Ice scoured river edges, lake shores, vernal ponds, shores (NYNHP 2009). High resistants of waterlogging and frost and may be tolerant of salinity. Susceptible to drought. Unknown to fire. Highly tolerant of at least two and may be tolerant of another. Susceptible to at least one.	mh	m
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	“Spreads by long rhizomes…The inflated perigynium allows Carex seeds to float for long periods of time (Natureserve 2009). Both vegetative and sexual reproduction.	h	ml
10. Number of propagules produced?	It is estimated that this species will produce approximately 134 seeds in 3 spikelets, in one seeding event based a photo in reference material. 50-1,000 seeds produced per flowering event.	ml	ml
11. Propagule longevity?	No information found.	m	l
12. Reproductive period?	No information found.	m	l
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	No information found.	m	l
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	“The inflated perigynium allows Carex seeds to float for long periods of time…various species are also dispersed by ants, birds and mammals” (Natureserve 2009). May be dispersed by birds.	h	ml
15. How far do they disperse?	wet-land-riparian…Occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands. (Calflora 2009). Grows in rich fens, swamps, wet meadows, ice scoured river edges, lake shores, vernal ponds, shores, old bogs, marly bogs (NYNHP 2009). “Fens, margins of lakes, often bordering outflow streams, always in areas which are periodically inundated” (Plantnetwork, No date). “The inflated perigynium allows Carex seeds to float for long periods of time…various species are also dispersed by ants, birds and mammals” (Natureserve 2009). Very likely that at least one propagule will disperse greater one kilometer in water ways.	h	m

References

Brickell C. (Ed.) (1996) A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. The Royal Horticultural Society. Covent Garden Books, London.

Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. (2009) Available at: http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=1525 (verified 14/05/2009).

Californian Native Plant Society (2009). Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v7-09b). Available at: http://cnps.web.aplus.net/cgibin/inv/inventory.cgi/Go?_id=carex_buxbaumii&sort=DEFAULT&search=Carex%20buxbaumii (verified 14/05/2009).

eFloras.org (2009) Flora of North America. Available at: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242357098 (verified 15/05/2009).

Hickman J.C (1993) The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, California. Also available at: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgibin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7928,7931,7951 (verified 14/05/2009).

Hill S.R. (1999) The Relict Flora of Ice Ponds in South Carolina. Castanea. 64(1): 14-22.

Hipp A, Davis R.D, Black A.R, Cochrane T.S (2008) Field Guide to Wisconsin Sedges. University of Wisconsin Press, Wisconsin. Available at:http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Gkfdbp7cRgQC&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=Carex+buxbaumii&source=bl&ots=owxJr7BJbF&sig=aFzrgId3RKr5JV9XXWC3H2vSIPs&hl=en&ei=5mULSp6cLtKBkQWN-oCVBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5 (verified 15/05/2009).

Jones T.M. (2006) Carex buxbaumii Wahlenb. Available at: http://utc.usu.edu/factsheets/CarexFSF/Carex_buxbaumii.htm (verified 14/05/2009).

Natureserve (2009) NatureServe Explorer: An Online Encyclopedia of Life. Available at: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchSciOrCommonName=Carex+buxbaumii (verified 15/05/2009).

NYNHP (New York Natural Heritage Program) (2009) Brown Bog Sedge. Available at: http://www.acris.nynhp.org/report.php?id=9464 (verified 14/05/2009).

Richardson FJ, Richardson RG and Shepherd RCH. (2006) Weeds of the South-east. An Identification Guide for Australia. RG & FJ Richardson. Meredith.

Plant network (No date) Carex buxbaumii Wahlenb. Available at: http://www.plantnetwork.org/projects/datasheets/carebuxb.pdf (verified 15/05/2009).

Speichert G. & S. (2004) Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants. Timber Press, Portland.

Wilson K.L (PlantNET- FloraOnline) (1996) Carex buxbaumii Whlenb. Available at: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgibin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&showsyn=&dist=&constat=&lvl=sp&name=Carex~buxbaumii (verified 14/05/2009).

U.S. co-op (Washington Dept. of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program & U.S.D.I Bureau of Land Management) (2000) Carex buxbaumii Wahlenb., Buxbaum’s Sedge. Available at: http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/fguide/pdf/cabu.pdf (verified 14/05/2009).

Global present distribution data references

Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2008) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 07/05/2009 & 15/05/2009).

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2006) Flora information system [CD-ROM], Biodiversity and Natural Resources Section, Viridans Pty Ltd, Bentleigh.

Department of the Environment and Heritage (Commonwealth of Australia). (1993 – On-going) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) http://www.cpbr.gov.au/apni/index.html (verified 07/05/2009).

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 07/05/2009).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 07/05/2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (viewed 07/05/2009 & 15/05/2009).

National Biodiversity Network (2004) NBN Gateway, National Biodiversity Network, UK, Available at http://www.searchnbn.net/index_homepage/index.jsp (verified 07/05/2009).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2009) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 07/05/2009).

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