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Back's Sedge Carex backii Boott |
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Family: Sedge Family (Cyperaceae)
State Protection: Threatened 
listed species are those with: 1) 6 to fewer than 20 extant sites, or 2) 1,000 to fewer than 3,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to not less than 4 or more than 7 U.S.G.S. 7 ? minute topographical maps, or 4) listed as threatened by U.S. Department of the Interior. Federal Protection: Not Listed State Rarity Rank: S2
A State Rarity Rank of S2 means: This plant is threatened/imperiled in New York because of rarity (typically 6-20 populations or few remaining individuals) or is vulnerable to extirpation from New York due to biological factors. Global Rarity Rank: G5
A Global Rarity Rank of G5 means: This species is demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Did you know? Back's sedge was first discovered in Connecticut in 1988 (Mehrhoff 1995), Massachusetts in 1997 (Bertin et. al 2002), and the southern Finger Lakes area of New York in 2004 (Werier 2004). Some think it has been overlooked due to its inconspicuous nature. The species is named in honor of Sir George Back (1796-1878). |
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| State Ranking Justification | [-] |
There are currently 16 known populations of Carex backii and approximately ten historical populations. This plant tends to prefer wooded sites with a shallow limestone bedrock. Since this is a somewhat specific requirement, habitat options are limited. Invasive species may pose a threat, but for now this threat has had minimal impacts. There are real concerns that swallowwort (Cynanchum spp.) will reduce or eliminate a few populations.
| Short-term Trends | [-] |
About ten new locales for Carex backii have been found in the past 20 years. With a limited season to easily identify this plant and as an inconspicuous plant, these new locales probably represent populations that have been overlooked in the past. Approximately ten additional populations have not been seen in over 20 years but searches to most of these sites have not been conducted and original site location information is obscure. Of populations that have been documented more than once there does not appear to be any clear trends. As a speculative trend, the trend of this plant appears stable. Some may argue there is an increase in range, but this could just reflect overlooked populations.
| Long-term Trends | [-] |
A few populations have been known for over 50 years but clear data on trends for these populations is lacking.
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Home | Advanced Search | About Us Animal Guides | Plant Guides | Community Guides © 2004-2012 New York Natural Heritage Program, a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Please cite this page as:
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2013. Online Conservation Guide for Carex backii. Available from: http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9458. Accessed June 19th, 2013. 
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