Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: EPIPHYTIC SEDGE

Phylum: MAGNOLIOPHYTA

Class: LILIOPSIDA

Order: CYPERALES

Family: CYPERACEAE

Genus: CAREX

Species: DECOMPOSITA

Taxonomic Authority: MUHL

Taxonomy References: 002 , 001

Status

STATE RANK S3
GLOBAL RANK G3

Status References: 005

Habitat Summary

"Found in and around the margins of sinkhole ponds at the base of buttonbushes, often surrounded by tupelo gum, bald cypress, oak-hickory or oak-pine forest."

Primary Habitat: "Wetland - sinkhole pond"

References: 004 , 003 , 002

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs primarily in the eastern portion of the Ozarks *03,04*"

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BOLLINGER DENT
CARTER DUNKLIN
HOWELL
OREGON
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SHANNON
TEXAS

References for distribution: 004 , 003 , 002

Distribution by Watersheds

Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Black R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Lower Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine

Aquatic Associations:

"Palustrine", "Forested, broad-leaved deciduous"
"Palustrine", "Forested, needle-leaved deciduous"
"Palustrine", "Scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous"

References for Aquatic Associations: 004 , 003 , 002

Habitat Types:

Swamp
Marsh

References for Habitat Types: 004 , 003 , 002

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Marshes
Pond Marsh
Swamps
Pond Swamp
Pond Shrub Swamp

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 004 , 003 , 002

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

""

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding adult niche requirements:

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Disturbed areas: see comments(00677)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Shrubs specified in comments(00615)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
034 Vulnerability to cold temperatures may be a limiting factor *004*.
003 Usually epiphytic on the bases of buttonbushes. Can form conspicuous, large tussocks or hummocks rooted on the submerged remains after a buttonbush dies *002*. Grows with hummocks of carex, hibiscus, and buttonbush, and floating mats of dulichium, sphagnum, menyanthes and glyceria *003*. Also occurs on floating or partially submersed, rotting cypress logs *004*.
099 Vegetative stems usually poorly developed, reduced to basal cluster of leaves *002*.
042 Short or poorly developed rhizomes *002*.
047 Emergent aquatics *002*.

Life History Information

Dispersion: clumped dispersion
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Reproduction (plants):plants monoecious
Reproduction (plants):rhizomatous
Reproduction (plants):see comments(042)
Duration of plant:perennial
Life form:see comments(047)
Flowering period begins: April
Flowering period ends: July
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
034 Vulnerability to cold temperatures may be a limiting factor *004*.
003 Usually epiphytic on the bases of buttonbushes. Can form conspicuous, large tussocks or hummocks rooted on the submerged remains after a buttonbush dies *002*. Grows with hummocks of carex, hibiscus, and buttonbush, and floating mats of dulichium, sphagnum, menyanthes and glyceria *003*. Also occurs on floating or partially submersed, rotting cypress logs *004*.
099 Vegetative stems usually poorly developed, reduced to basal cluster of leaves *002*.
042 Short or poorly developed rhizomes *002*.
047 Emergent aquatics *002*.

References for life history: 004 , 003 , 002

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - control sedimentation
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - restrict human disturbance
Water - protect the watershed to reduce the threat of flooding

Beneficial Management References: 004

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of herbicides
Water - dredging and filling
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes

Adverse Management References: 004

Comments on Management:
Habitat protection is the primary management need. This includes protecting the occupied habitat as well as upstream areas within the watershed. Frequent flooding episodes and heightened floodwater elevations devastate existing populations. The species is not able to survive in areas where water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year. Thus, natural, constant water levels should be maintained. Developing and maintaining streamside vegetation will provide a buffer to protect populations from herbicide drift or other factors. Other threats to populations include: conversion of natural ponds to stock watering holes, road grading of populations located on roadbanks within swamps, and boat wake disturbances *04*.

References for Management Comments: 004

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Yatskievych, G. and J. Turner. 1990. Catalogue Of The Flora Of Missouri. Monographs In Systemic Botany From The Missouri Botanical Garden, V.37. 345 Pp.
002 Yatskievych, G. 1999. Steyermark's Flora Of Missouri, Volume I (Revised Edition). Missouri Dept. Of Conservation And Missouri Botanical Garden Press. St. Louis, Mo. 991 Pp.
003 Unpb Flora Of Missouri Database. G. Yatskievych, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Mo 63166-0299. 314-577-9522.
004 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
005 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.