Fingered Sedge
Carex digitata
Carex digitata, finger sedge, or fingered sedge is a species in the genus Carex, native to Europe and western Asia. It is found most often in shady, deciduous mesotrophic oak‑hornbeam forests.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carex_digitata
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Poales
Family
Cyperaceae
Genus
Carex
Fingered Sedge belongs to the family Cyperaceae, order Poales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Carex digitata, finger sedge, or fingered sedge is a species in the genus Carex, native to Europe and western Asia. It is found most often in shady, deciduous mesotrophic oak‑hornbeam forests.
Fingered Sedge faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized woodland environments, particularly due to intensive forestry practices and agricultural conversion. Climate change is altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions required by this species, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its native habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Deciduous and mixed woodlands with moist, humus-rich soils, particularly in beech and oak forests with partial shade conditions. Also found in woodland edges, clearings, and scrubland areas with well-drained but moisture-retentive soils.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Fingered Sedge faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized woodland environments, particularly due to intensive forestry practices and agricultural conversion. Climate change is altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions required by this species, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its native habitats.
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Climate change altering moisture regimes
Habitat loss and fragmentation from deforestation
Intensive forestry practices and clear-cutting
Competition from invasive plant species
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Fingered Sedge (Carex digitata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/fingered-sedge