''Carex juniperorum'', the juniper sedge, is a

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

flowering plant native to North America, first described by botanist William J. Crins in 1993. ''C. juniperorum'' is in the ''

Cyperaceae The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus ''Carex'' w ...

'' (sedge) family, and is closely related to '' C. jamesii'' and '' C. willdenowii''. It is commonly called juniper sedge as it is often seen growing in areas with red cedar (''

Juniperus virginiana ''Juniperus virginiana'', also known as red cedar, eastern red cedar, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, red juniper, and other local names, is a species of juniper native to eastern North America from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico a ...

''), though the presence of cedar is not necessarily a requirement for it to grow.

Distribution

Juniper sedge is globally rare. It only occurs in sections of Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia in the United States. In Canada, it is found in the province of Ontario.

Description and habitat

Juniper sedge prefers dry, open, calcareous soils that are periodically disturbed to maintain canopy cover. The plant grows forming a clump, with grass-like leaves up to 30cm long with a reddish-brown basal sheath. Flowers occur in early may on a small basal spike. Small (1.5-2mm) ellipsoid perigynia form in late May lasting until late June.

Risks

''Cyperus juniperorum'' faces habitat risk from fire suppression, invasive plant succession, development and

habitat fragmentation Habitat fragmentation describes the emergence of discontinuities (fragmentation) in an organism's preferred environment (habitat), causing population fragmentation and ecosystem decay. Causes of habitat fragmentation include geological processes ...

. the sedge requires open habitat to grow and through fire suppression, land use changes, and increased invasive plant presence such as ''Alianthus altissima'' have threatened existing populations. Polgar, S.K. 2008. Prioritizing Management of Ailanthus altissima at the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. Electronic Masters Thesis. Document number: ohiou1198354827. Ohio University To ensure the survival of the species proper land management techniques must be implemented to keep existing habitat clear of secondary growth that may outcompete juniper sedge.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2938554 Plants described in 1993 juniperorum