Carex chordorrhiza, commonly called creeping sedge or string sedge, is a species of perennial plant in the family Cyperaceae with Holarctic distribution growing in acidic bogs.

Growth form and classification

Carex chordorrhiza has an unusual growth habit, where prostrate stems produce new shoots the following year. Using this means of growth, C. chordorrhiza can grow vegetatively by up to 70 cm per year. This habit is considered so distinct from all other Carex species that C. chordorrhiza is placed in its own section, 'Carex'' sect. Chordorrhizae', although similar habits are seen in other species such as Carex limosa''.

Description

The culms of C. chordorrhiza are 5 - 32 cm long, and are initially erect. As they mature, the stems become prostrate and can reach a length of 120 cm. The inflorescences are 5 - 16 mm long and 4 - 12 mm wide.

Distribution

The distribution of Carex chordorrhiza is circumpolar in boreal and subarctic areas. It is found in Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Germany, Poland, northern Russia, and in North America from Alaska to Greenland, and occurs more patchily as far south as Indiana and the Pyrenees. Within the British Isles, it is restricted to two sites in the Scottish Highlands, at the head of Loch Naver (near Altnaharra, West Sutherland) and in the Insh Marshes (Easterness & Nairns).