Greater Pond-sedge
Carex riparia
Carex riparia, the greater pond sedge, is a species of sedge found across Europe and Asia. It grows in a variety of wet habitats, and can be a dominant species in some swamps.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carex_riparia
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Poales
Family
Cyperaceae
Genus
Carex
Greater Pond-sedge belongs to the family Cyperaceae, order Poales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Carex riparia, the greater pond sedge, is a species of sedge found across Europe and Asia. It grows in a variety of wet habitats, and can be a dominant species in some swamps. It is Britain's largest Carex, growing up to 130 cm tall, with glaucous leaves up to 160 cm long. It hybridises with a number of other Carex species, including the closely related Carex acutiformis – the lesser pond sedge. A variegated cultivar is grown as an ornamental grass.
Greater Pond-sedge (Carex riparia) is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems through drainage, agricultural conversion, and urban development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and changes in hydrology from river management further threaten remaining populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Carex riparia has a broad distribution over Europe and Western and Central Asia, with isolated occurrences in North Africa. It can form large stands along slow-flowing rivers, canals, on the edges of lakes, and in wet woodland. It may be the dominant species in swamps, especially if there is standing water in spring, and is also found in tall-herb fens, alongside Carex acutiformis, Carex acuta...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Greater Pond-sedge (Carex riparia) is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems through drainage, agricultural conversion, and urban development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and changes in hydrology from river management further threaten remaining populations.
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Wetland drainage and conversion to agriculture
Hydrological changes from river regulation
Invasive species competition
Water pollution from agricultural runoff
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
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
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Greater Pond-sedge (Carex riparia). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/greater-pond-sedge