{{short description|Species of plant}} {{Speciesbox | image = Carex distans maennl.jpeg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | parent = Carex sect. Spirostachyae | taxon = Carex distans | authority = L. }}

'''''Carex distans''''', commonly known as '''distant sedge''',<ref name=BSBI07>{{BSBI 2007 |accessdate=2014-10-17 }}</ref><ref name=PLANTS>{{PLANTS|id=CADI27|taxon=Carex distans|accessdate=11 January 2016}}</ref> is a plant species in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. It is native to Europe and North Africa. It is part of a complex of similar species that occur across Eurasia. Its relatives include ''Carex diluta'' of central Asia, which has also been introduced to North America in Montana. ''Carex distans'' has been introduced to US states including Maryland and Pennsylvania.<ref name=PLANTS/> More recently, it was found in Oregon. There is a report from Victoria, Australia as well.

==Description== ''C. distans'' is densely cespitose and {{convert|40|–|80|cm}} tall. Leaves: sheaths are brown to orange-brown; blades are green, flat and {{convert|3|-|4.5|mm}} wide. The inflorescence consists of widely separated spikes. The terminal spike is staminate and the lower 2–4 spikes are pistillate. The perigynia (also called utricles) are green to brownish, {{convert|3.5|-|4.6|mm}} long, contracted to a beak {{convert|1|-|1.4|mm}} long. Stigmas are 3 and achenes trigonous. 2''n'' = 68, 70–72, 74.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2024 |title=World Flora Online |url=https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000346128 |website=World Flora Online}}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat== In Europe, this sedge grows in wetlands and fens, often on sandy or rocky soils. It can grow in brackish marshes and is especially common along coastlines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PlantAtlas |url=https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9h.xdt |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=plantatlas2020.org}}</ref> In the United States, it is found on ballast dumps and in other disturbed, sandy locations. The species is widespread and its overall population appears stable.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

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distans Category:Flora of Europe Category:Flora of Western Asia Category:Flora of North Africa Category:Plants described in 1759 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Category:Grasses of Lebanon {{Carex-stub}}