False sedge
Kobresia simpliciuscula
Family: Cyperaceae
Fire effect on plant
False sedge is likely top-killed by fire.
Key traits
False sedge is a tufted perennial that can spread vegetatively via short underground rhizomes (Hedley 2014). Because individual plants are relatively long-lived, reproduction by seed is probably rare, with germination only where the vegetation is open (Smith 1999). It is found in only two locations in Britain (Hedley 2014).
Seeds are animal dispersed 400–1500 m (Lososová et al. 2023).
Plant response to fire
The fire response of this species is not described. However, its underground rhizomes will probably allow survival through fire.
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to August.
Conservation status
None.
References
Hedley, S. 2014. Kobresia simpliciuscula (Wahlenb.) Mack. False Sedge. Species Account. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Lososová, Z., Axmanová, I., Chytrý, M., Midolo, G., Abdulhak, S., Karger, D.N., Renaud, J., Van Es, J., Vittoz, P. and Thuiller, W. 2023. Seed dispersal distance classes and dispersal modes for the European flora. Global Ecology and Biogeography 32: 1485–1494 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Smith, R.A.H. 1999. Kobresia simpliciuscula (Wahlenb.) Mackenzie (Cyperaceae). In: M.J. Wigginton (ed.), British Red Data Books 1. Vascular Plants, third edition, pp.203- 204. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. [Empirical evidence; Grey literature]