The genus Carex of Renfrew County:
A comparative study

By Grant A. Bickel, 2025

Section CHORDORRHIZAE

Only one species comprises Section CHORDORRHIZAE.

Carex chordorrhiza Ehrh. ex L. f., Creeping Sedge

This plant is presumably called chordorrhiza because it creeps across floating bogs forming long cord-like stolons. The erect stems elongate as the season progresses and eventually lie flat sending out roots and shoots from the nodes in the following season (see Figure 3). Many seasons of growth create very long networks of stolons intertwined with the other vegetation perhaps stabilizing the floating bog mat. This habitat and its prostrate nature make it easy to overlook and its status as rare in Renfrew County may just result from the lack of herbaria submissions. I have found it frequently in bogs in the western portion of Renfrew County (see Figure 4)

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Achenes, perigynia and scales of Carex chordorrhiza

Figure 1. Achenes, perigynia and scales.
Inflorescence of Carex chordorrhiza

Figure 2. Inflorescence.
Habit of Carex chordorrhiza

Figure 3. B&W scan of specimen showing habit.
Habit of Carex chordorrhiza

Figure 4. Inflorescences.
Habit of Carex chordorrhiza

Figure 5. Inflorescence.
An occurrence map of Carex chordorrhiza in Renfrew County

Figure 6. Occurence map for Renfrew County and surrounding area.