Carex field guide

OEPA FIELD GUIDE TO THE COMMON

WETLAND PLANTS OF OHIO

CAREX SPECIES (SEDGES)

Assembled by:

Tanner Morris

SUMMER 2010

[PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

Introduction

The genus Carex is by far the most numerous genus of plants we have in Ohio, comprised of well

over 100 different species. This guide covers 40 of the most common sedges that can be found in

and around wetlands. Due to the sheer number of species and sometimes small, minute differences

between similar species, Carex can be especially difficult to identify. Positive identification may

require the use of a hand lens and/or microscope. Many Carex species flower and mature at different

times of the year, and for almost all sedges you will need to examine the reproductive parts for

positive identification.

The Ohio distribution maps are not up to date and 100% accurate, but are useful for

determining regionally specific sedges. Additionally, sedges may have wide distributions around the

state but can also be very uncommon; however, the distribution maps do not demonstrate this. The

line drawings of the perigynia, scale, achene, and sheaths are not to scale in proportion to each other.

This guide does not cover many of the common sedges that grow in upland or dry habitats (e.g.

Carex rosea, Carex jamesii). Many wetland Carex species that may only be found in a couple of

counties, are on the state threatened, state endangered, or state extirpated lists are also not included

in this guide.

Since more than three-fourths of the species of Carex in Ohio are inhabitants of wetlands, “an

understanding of the genus is critical for those working in wetlands (Mohlenbrock, 1999).”

Enjoy!

-Tanner Morris

1

Carex cephalophora

Oval-leaf sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Graminoid

Native to Ohio: Yes

Wetland Indicator Status: FACU

Coefficient of Conservatism: 5 Flowering: May-July.

Field Marks: This species is distinguished by its perigynia in

spikes (4-8) that are crowded to form a single head. The male

flowers are formed at the tip of each spikelet. Leaves are

concentrated on the lower third of the fertile culm.

Habitat: Dry woods, fields.

Habit: Perennial herb from a short, knotty, brown rootstock.

Stems: Upright, unbranched, triangular, up to 45 cm (1.5 feet) tall,

smooth or rough to the touch near the head of spikes.

Leaves: Several, elongated, flat, 2.1-4.2 mm wide, not hairy

but with rough edges.

Flowers: Borne in spikelets, with the male flowers crowded

at the tip of each spikelet; spikelets 3-7, crowded into a single

head 0.85-2.5 cm long, subtended by thread-like bracts.

Scales: Pale brown, ovate-lanceolate, rough-awned,

3/4 as long as to equalling the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in a

perigynium; each perigynium green to buff, 2.5-3.2 mm long,

flattened on one face, rounded on the other, lanceolate, broadest at

or just below the middle, with a minutely toothed beak; styles 2.

Fruits: Achenes lenticular, up to 1.5 mm long.

a - perigynium, dorsal view

b - perigynium, ventral view

f - achene

h - pistillate scale

w¹ - apex of sheath, dorsal view

w² - apex of sheath, ventral view

Bracteosae

2

Carex sparganioides

Bur-reed sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 3 Flowering: June-July.

Field Marks: The field marks of this Carex are the 6-15 spikelets

separated in an elongated inflorescence. The bottom spikelet is “usually”

separated from the other spikelets. The perigynia are narrowly winged to

the base. Male flowers are borne at the tip of each spikelet.

Habitat: Rich woods, thickets.

Habit: Perennial herb from elongated, woody rootstocks.

Stems: Upright, unbranched, rather stout, sharply triangular, not hairy but

rough to the touch, longer than the leaves, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Several, elongated, flat, up to 8.5 wide, not hairy but rough along

the edges, with conspicuous cross-markings at right angles to the veins.

Flowers: Borne in spikelets, with the male flowers crowded at the tip of

each spikelet; spikelets 6-9, not continuous, forming an inflorescence up to

9 cm long, subtended by thread-like bracts.

Scales: Ovate-lanceolate, whitish with a green center, pointed at the tip,

about 1/2 as long as the perigynia and narrower than the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in a perigynium; each

perigynium green, becoming yellowish, 4.2 mm long, flattened on one

face, rounded on the other, ovate-lanceolate, the margin narrow and wing-

like all the way to the base, very short-beaked at the tip; styles 2.

Fruits: Achenes lenticular, up to 2.5 mm long, yellow-green.


b - perigynium, ventral

view

f - achene


v - spike, gynaecandrous or

predominantly pistillate

w¹ - apex of sheath, dorsal

view

w² - apex of sheath, ventral

view

Bracteosae

3

Carex annectens

Yellowfruit sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes

Wetland Indicator Status: FACW


Field Marks: Yellow fruit sedge has elongated spikes containing 10 or

more spikelets with bristlelike bracts subtending most of the spikes. Carex

annectens differs from Carex vulpinoidea by its leaves that are usually

shorter than the culm, and perigynia that turn golden yellow rather than

brown when mature.

Habitat: moist prairies, prairie swales, swamps, fens and

seeps, borders of ponds, ditches, and abandoned fields.

Habit: Perennial herb with thickened rootstocks.

Stems: Erect, slender, sharply triangular, rough

to the touch, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, longer than the stems,

smooth, up to 5 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers at the tips of

the female spikelets, with 10 or more female spikelets in a terminal spike up

to 7 cm long; the lowermost spikelet subtended by a long, narrow bract.

Scales: Lanceolate, usually tapering to an awn at the tip, smooth.


perigynium ovoid or suborbicular below, abruptly tapering to a slender beak

about half the length of the perigynium, golden yellow, without nerves.

Fruits: Achenes flat, up to 1.5 mm long.

Multiflorae



f - achene






view

4

Carex vulpinoidea

Fox sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes

Wetland Indicator Status: OBL


Field Marks: Fox sedge has elongated spikes containing 10 or more

spikelets with bristlelike bracts subtending most of the spikes. Carex

vulpinoidea differs from Carex annectens by its leaves that are usually as

long or longer than the culm, and perigynia that turn brown rather than

yellow when mature.

Habitat: Wet woods, swamps, wet prairies, along

rivers and streams, around lakes and ponds.


Stems: Erect, slender, sharply triangular, rough

to the touch, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, longer than the stems,

smooth, up to 4.2 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers at the tips of

the female spikelets, with 10 or more female spikelets in a terminal spike up

to 5 inches long; the lowermost spikelet subtended by a long, narrow bract.

Scales: Lanceolate, usually tapering to an awn at the tip, smooth.


perigynium ovoid or suborbicular below, abruptly tapering to a slender beak

about half the length of the perigynium, yellowish, without nerves.

Fruits: Achenes flat, up to 1.6 mm long.



f - achene






view

Multiflorae

5

Carex laevivaginata

Smoothsheath sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species has male flowers below the female flowers.

The female spikes are ovoid, with some of the lower perigynia pointing

downward. This species is distinguished from Carex stipata by its

thickened, yellow sheath apex.

Habitat: Wet prairies, swamps, wet woods, calcareous soils.

Habit: Perennial herb with a thickened rootstock.

Stems: Erect, strongly triangular and somewhat spongy, often narrowly

winged, up to 75 cm (2.5 feet) tall; scabrous.

Leaves: Elongated, shorter than the flowering stem, up to 8.5 mm broad.

Apex of sheath yellow, thickened; ligules acute.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers few in

number and situated at the tip of the pistillate spikes; the pistillate spikes

numerous (6-15) and crowded into elongated heads up to 10 cm long.

Scales: Lanceolate to ovate, hyaline, tapering to a narrow, toothed tip,

much shorter than the perigynia.


perigynium lanceoloid, rounded and spongy at the base, strongly ribbed,

red-brown veins, up to 4.2 mm long, narrowed above into a slender,

minutely toothed beak.

Fruits: Achenes flattened, smooth, ovate.

Vulpinae



f - achene


v - spike, gynaecandrous or predominantly

pistillate



Thickened,

yellow

Sheath apex

6

Carex stipata

Awlfruit sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species has male flowers below the female flowers.

The female spikes are ovoid, with some of the lower perigynia pointing

downward. This species is distinguished from Carex laevivaginata by

horizontal striping on ligules Fig. W1, and the flimsy and easily

broken apex of sheath.

Habitat: Wet prairies, swamps, wet woods, along rivers and streams.


Stems: Erect, strongly triangular and somewhat spongy, often

narrowly winged, up to 1 meter (3.5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, shorter than the flowering stem, up to 8.5 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers few in

number and situated at the tip of the pistillate spikes; the pistillate spikes

numerous and crowded into elongated heads up to 10 cm long.

Scales: Lanceolate to ovate, tapering to a narrow, toothed tip, much

shorter than the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in a perigynium;

each perigynium lanceoloid, rounded and spongy at the base, strongly

ribbed, up to 4.2 mm long, narrowed above into a slender, minutely

toothed beak.

Fruits: Achenes flattened, smooth.



f - achene






Vulpinae

7

Carex bromoides

Brome like sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 7 Flowering: April-July.

Field Marks: Clumping, tufted; many plants in a single

clump. This species has extremely narrow, lanceoloid

perigynia and stiff leaves.

Habitat: Wet seepy areas, wet woodlands, fens, shaded

areas.

Habit: Tufted perennial from short rootstocks.

Stems: 20-70 cm (2/3 – 2

1/3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Leaves 3-5, stiff; 1.1 – 2.2 mm wide. Dead

leaves from previous years persistent.

Flowers: Spikes gynecandrous;. 2-7 spikes per culm,

overlapping and apressed-ascending. Inflorescence 2-

6mm long.


perigynium; perigynium planoconvex to biconvex in

cross section. Perigynia 4-12 per spike, 3-4.5 mm long,

0.75-1.25 mm wide with bidentate beaks.

Fruits: Achenes biconvex in cross section., 1.50-1.75

mm long, 0.75 mm wide.



f - achene






Deweyanae

Carex bromoides clump in September

8

Carex bebbii

Bebb’s sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 7 Flowering: June-August.

Field Marks: This sedge is distinguished by its

crowded, ovoid spikes that have the male flowers at

the base, and the ovate perigynia with the inner face

nerveless.

Habitat: Wet meadows.

Habit: Perennial herb from thickened rootstocks.

Stems: Densely tufted, upright, unbranched, rough

only below the spikes, triangular, up to 75 cm (2.5feet)

tall.

Leaves: Elongated, flat, smooth, up to 6.4 mm wide.

Flowers: Borne in spikelets, the spikelets crowded

into ovoid spikes up to 1.3 cm long, the male flowers

at the base of the female flowers in the same spike;

female scales narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip,

slightly longer than the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Borne in

perigynia, the perigynia narrowly ovate, up to 1/6 inch

long, 2.2-2.5 mm wide, nerveless on the inner face;

stigmas 2.

Fruits: Achenes lenticular, narrowed at each end,

smooth.



f - achene


v - spike, gynaecandrous or predominantly pistillate



Ovales

POTENTIALLY

THREATENED SPECIES

9

Carex cristatella

Crested sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species has spikelets more or less

globose (spherical), and perigynia broadly lanceolate. This

species can be confused with Carex molesta; however

Carex molesta only has 2-5 spikelets per inflorescence.

Habitat: Wet meadows, wet prairies, swamps, along

streams, around ponds, roadside ditches.


Stems: Erect, rough to the touch, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, shorter than the stems,

smooth, up to 1/4 inch broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male few

at the base of the female spikelets; the spikelets crowded,

spherical or nearly so, up to 1/3 inch in diameter.

Scales: Lanceolate, pointed or rounded at the tip, shorter

than the perigynia.


perigynium; the perigynium flat, wing-margined, broadly

lanceolate, minutely toothed near the tip, up to 1/16 inch

broad.

Fruits: Achenes triangular, smooth.



f - achene





Ovales

10

Carex festucacea

Fescue sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes

Wetland Indicator Status: FAC


Field Marks: This sedge has 3-5 spikelets similar to Carex

molesta but differs in that the spikelets overlap only slightly

or not at all. The perigynia are broadly ovate or nearly round

and typically 3mm long.

Habitat: Wet woods, wet prairies, around lakes and ponds.


Stems: Erect, smooth or sometimes rough to the touch, up to

90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, shorter than the stem, smooth,

up to 4.2 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male

crowded at the base of the female spikelets; the female

spikelets barely overlapping or separate, up to 1.3 cm long.

Scales: Lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, rounded or pointed

at the tip, up to 3.2 mm long.


perigynium; the perigynium flat, ovate to nearly round, up to

4.2 mm long with a small beak.

Fruits: Achenes smooth, 1.6 mm long.



f - achene






Ovales

11

Carex molesta

Troublesome sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species usually has 2-4 crowded spikelets

(rarely 5) that are nearly globoid and have well rounded

bottoms; ovate perigynia usually at least 4 mm long and 2-2.5

mm across; Leaf blades are less than 3.5 mm across. Carex

normalis and Carex cristatella have wider leaf blades (6mm)

and more spikelets.

Habitat: Wet prairies, floodplain forests; also in drier habitats.


Stems: Erect, not hairy, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, up to 4.2 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the

male at the base of each spike; the spikes rounded

at the tip, crowded, up to 8.5 mm long.

Scales: Lanceolate, tapering to the tip, shorter than the

perigynia.


perigynium; each perigynium ovate, at least 4.2 mm long and

at least 2.5 mm broad.

Fruits: Achenes smooth, about 3.2 mm long.



f - achene





view


view

Ovales

12

Carex muskingumensis

Muskingum sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 7 Flowering: May-October.

Field Marks: This sedge is fairly easy to identify because its

spikelets (1.3-2.5 cm length) are more elongated and pointed than

those of similar sedges; its perigynia are also unusually long and

slender (at least 6.4 mm length). Culms are very leafy with most

leaves clumped at the tip of the culm; leaves distinctly 3 ranked

when looking down the plant.

Habitat: Swamps, floodplain woods, bottomland hardwood forests.


Stems: Erect, rough to the touch, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, shorter than the stems, smooth, up to

6.4 mm broad. Leaves 3-ranked looking down the plant.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers

crowded at the base of the female spikelets; each female

spikelet narrowly elliptic, pointed at the tip, up to 2.5 cm long.

Scales: Lanceolate to ovate, pointed or rounded at the tip, up to 4.2

mm long.


the perigynium flat, lanceolate, up to 1.3 cm long, finely toothed

along the margins and 2-toothed at the tip.

Fruits: Achenes smooth, narrowly oblong, about 1.6 mm long.



f - achene





Ovales

13

Carex normalis

Greater straw sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes

Wetland Indicator Status: FACU*


Field Marks: The male flowers are located below the female flowers.

This species has spikelets one above the other and barely overlapping.

The perigynia are ovate. This species has wider leaf blades (6 mm) and

more spikelets (4-12) than Carex molesta, Carex festucacea, and Carex

brevior.

Habitat: Wet woods, swamps, along streams, around ponds, wet

prairies.


Stems: Erect or spreading, triangular, rough to the touch, up to 1 meter

(3.5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, shorter than the stems, smooth, up to 4.2

mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers crowded

at the base of the female spikelets; each female spikelet usually one

above the other and barely overlapping, up to 1.3 cm long.

Scales: Ovate, more or less rounded at the tip, up to 3.2 mm long.


the perigynium flat, ovate, up to 6.4 mm long, with a short 2-toothed

beak.




f - achene


v - spike, gynaecandrous or predominantly

pistillate



Ovales

*This wetland indicator status

may be incorrect. Other regions

of the United States have this

species listed as OBL or FACW

14

Carex scoparia

Broom sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This sedge is distinguished by its

narrowly lanceolate perigynia, narrow leaves, and

pointed spikes. The few male flowers are borne below

the female flowers. Spikelets condensed var.

condensa. Spikelets spaced var. moniliformis.

Habitat: Wet prairies, swamps, floodplain woods.


Stems: Erect, rough to the touch, up to 60 cm (2 feet)

tall, some of the stems not bearing spikelets.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, up to 4.2 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately but in the

same spikelet; the male flowers below the female; the

spikelets not overlapping but separated, up to 8.5 mm

long.

Scales: Ovate to lanceolate, rounded or pointed at the

tip, shorter than the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in

a perigynium; each perigynium lanceolate, spreading,

up to 3.2 mm long.

Fruits: Achenes about 1.6 mm long.



f - achene





Ovales

15

Carex tenera

Quill sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 8 Flowering: April-June.

Field Marks: The spikes of this species are not overlapping,

the perigynia are ovate to narrowly ovate. This Carex has the

most remote spikes of the section Ovales. Inflorescence may

droop.

Habitat: Wet woods, around ponds and lakes, roadside

ditches.


Stems: Erect, smooth, up to 75 cm (2.5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, smooth, up to 2.5 mm broad.


crowded at the base of the female spikelets; the spikelets

rounded or somewhat pointed, usually not overlapping and

sometimes widely separated, up to 1 cmlong.

Scales: Broadly lanceolate, rounded or pointed at the tip,

about 2.5 mm long.


perigynium; each perigynium flat, narrowly ovate to ovate, up

to 4.2 mm long.




f - achene





Ovales

16

Carex tribuloides

Blunt broom sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes

Wetland Indicator Status: FACW+

Coefficient of Conservatism: 4 Flowering: May-August.

Field Marks: A very common and wide ranging leafy species;

inflorescence dense, or interrupted at the base, spikes blunt, perigynia

thin and lanceolate. Leaves 3-ranked when looking down the plant but

this species does not have leaves as clumped at the tip as Carex

muskingumensis; rather they are more evenly spaced.

Habitat: Wet woods, around ponds and lakes, swamps,

wet prairies, along streams, wet meadows.


Stems: Erect, rough to the touch, up to 75 cm (2.5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, usually shorter than

the stems, up to 8.5 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers

crowded at the base of the female spikelets; the female spikelets

crowded in terminal clusters, obovoid, about 1.3 cm long.

Scales: Lanceolate, pointed at the tip, about 3.2 mm long.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed

in a perigynium; each perigynium flat, broadly

lanceolate, up to 4.2 mm long, with a finely toothed

beak 2-toothed at the tip.




f - achene






view

Ovales

17

Carex blanda

Woodland sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: The male flowers are borne in separate spikes

from the female. The short beak of the perigynium, which is

not 2-cleft, is bent to one side.

Habitat: Wet woods, along rivers and streams.

Habit: Perennial herb with slightly thickened rootstocks.

Stems: Erect, smooth pale green, up to 40 cm (1 ¼ feet) tall,

not purplish at the base.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, usually shorter than the flowering

stem, pale green, smooth, up to 1.3 cm broad.

Flowers: Male and female flowers borne in separate spikelets;

the male flowers in separate narrow spikes up to 2.5 cm long

and borne on a very short stalk; the female flowers crowded in

2-4 spikes, the upper ones sessile, the lower 1-2 on slender

stalks.

Scales: Ovate, white along the edges, green down the middle,

pointed at the tip or even awned, shorter than the perigynia.


perigynium; the perigynium obovoid, tapering to a short, bent,

toothless tip. Smooth, veiny, up to 3.2 mm long.



e - piece stem, showing cross section

f - achene


k - sheath of bract

Laxiflorae

18

Carex granularis

Meadow sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species has male spikes separate from

the female spikes and beakless perigynia about 3.2 mm

long. This species also has bluish-green leaves and culms.

Habitat: Wet woods, swamps, along streams, wet

meadows, wet prairies.


Stems: Erect, smooth, pale green to bluish, up to 75 cm

(2.5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, usually rough along the edges,

up to 8.5 mm broad.


flowers in slender, solitary spikes up to 3.2 cm long; the

pistillate flowers in 2-4 narrow cylindric spikes up to 2.5

cm long.

Scales: Narrowly ovate, tapering to a short point.


perigynium; the perigynium ovoid to obovoid, up to 3.2

mm long, tapering to a very short beak.

Fruits: Achenes smooth, obovoid, about 2.5 mm long.



f - achene


k - sheath of bract

Granulares

19

Carex amphibola

Eastern narrowleaf sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species differs from the similar Carex davisii by its

separate male and female spikes, its bluntly angled perigynia which

lack a beak, and its leaves up to 1 cm wide.

Habitat: Rich woods, bottomland forests, wet meadows.


Stems: Upright, unbranched, slender, smooth, up to 45 cm (1.5 feet)

tall, purple-tinged at the base.

Leaves: Elongated, flat, green or glaucous, rough on the margins, up to

1 cm wide.

Flowers: Male and female borne in separate spikes; male spike located

at the end of the stem immediately below the terminal female spike, up

to 3.8 cm long, sessile or on a rough stalk; female spikes 3-5, up to 3.2

cm long, up to 4.2 mm wide, subtended by leaf-like bracts.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in a perigynium,

with 4-12 perigynia per spike, the perigynia ellipsoid to obovoid,

bluntly angled, up to 6.4 mm long, smooth, conspicuously grooved,

beakless, pale green to yellow-brown; female scales usually awned at

the tip, with white sides and a green midvein, yellow-brown; stigmas 3.

Fruits: Achenes more or less triangular, yellow-brown, short-pointed

at the tip, about 3.2 mm long.



f - achene


k - sheath of bract

Oligocarpae

20

Carex davisii

Davis’ sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes

Wetland Indicator Status: FAC-


Field Marks: This species differs from Carex amphibola by its terminal

spike that is gynecandrous, hairy leaves and sheaths, and perigynia with a

minute bidentate beak.

Habitat: Floodplain forests; wet meadows and open gravel bars; rich

deciduous forests and forest margins; wooded ravine slopes; meadows and

thickets.


Stems: arising from lower leaves; 30-100 cm (1-3 1/3 feet) tall; secondary

branches come off the upper portions of the main stem.

Leaves: Elongated, flat, green or glaucous, rough on the margins, up to 1

cm wide.

Flowers: clusters occur at the ends of secondary branches; clusters nod or

droop; fruits are about 4.5-6mm long; 3-5 spikes arise singly at the nodes;

terminal spike is gynecandrous; lateral spikes are completely pistillate.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in a perigynium, with

up to 40 perigynia per spike, the perigynia oblong-obovoid, bluntly angled,

up to 6.4 mm long, smooth, conspicuously grooved, small bidentate beak,

pale green to yellow-brown; female scales have an elongated awn at the

tip, with white sides and a green midvein, yellow-brown.

Fruits: Achenes more or less triangular, yellow-brown, short-pointed at

the tip, about 3.2 mm long.


f - achene


Gracillimae

21

Carex gracillima

Graceful sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This slender species is recognized by its terminal spike

which is male except for a few female flowers at the tip, and its 2-4

slender lateral female spikes on drooping stalks and its purplish based

stem. This species differs from Carex davisii by its perigynia lacking a

beak and scales lacking awns.

Habitat: Meadows, moist woods.

Habit: Tufted perennial herb from thickened rootstocks.

Stems: Upright, slender, smooth, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall, usually

purplish at the base.

Leaves: Elongated, dark green, flat, up to 8.5 mmwide, smooth,

shorter than the stems.

Flowers: Borne in spikes, the terminal spike narrowly cylindric, up to

5 cm long, mostly male with a few female flowers at the tip; lateral

spikes 2-4, narrowly cylindrical, up to 3 inches long, on slender,

drooping stalks; female scales ovate to oblong, mostly rounded at the

tip, whitish, about half as long as the perigynia; styles 3.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Borne in perigynia, the

perigynia appressed-ascending, narrowly ellipsoid, smooth, few-

nerved, 3-angled, not shiny, not tapering to a distinct beak, up to 4.2

mm long.

Fruits: Achenes triangular.


f - achene


Gracillimae

22

Carex prasina

Drooping sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 8 Flowering: May-June.

Field Marks: The distinguishing features of this species

are its separate male spike, its drooping female spikes, its

slenderly ellipsoid perigynia, and its awned female scales.

Habitat: Rich woods, moist meadows.

Habit: Tufted perennial herb from thickened rootstocks.

Stems: Upright, slender, triangular, up to 75 cm (2.5 feet)

tall, smooth except near the tip, brownish at the base.

Leaves: Elongated, pale green, weak, rough to the touch,

up to 6.4 mm wide.

Flowers: Borne in spikes, the male spike one, the female

spikes 2-4; male spike slender, short-stalked, sometimes

with female flowers at the tip; female spikes narrowly

cylindric, pale green, up to 7.5 cm long, on arching or

drooping stalks; female scales ovate, awned, pale with a

green midvein, shorter than the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Borne in

perigynia, the perigynia slenderly ellipsoid, triangular,

pale green, few-nerved, up to 6.4 mm long, tapering to a

curved beak; styles 3.



f - achene


Gracillimae

23

Carex scabrata

Rough sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This Carex has a solitary male spike and 4-8 female

spikes. The green perigynium has a roughened surface and a curved

beak nearly as long as the body. Leaves rough to the touch.

Habitat: Wet woods, wet meadows, glades, swamps.

Habit: Tufted perennial herb from slender rhizomes.

Stems: Upright, unbranched, triangular, up to 45 cm (1.5feet) tall,

not hairy but very rough to the touch.

Leaves: Several, elongated, ribbon-like, flat, up to 2 cm wide, not

hairy but rough along the edges.

Flowers: Borne in spikelets, the male arranged in a single, terminal

spike up to 5 cm long, the female in 4-8 upright, cylindrical spikes

up to 5 cm long; bracts leaf-like.

Scales: Lanceolate, pale but with green veins, about as long as the

body of the perigynium.


each perigynium obovoid, triangular, green, with a rough surface, up

to 6.4 mm long, with conspicuous veins, narrowed above to a curved

beak nearly as long as the body; styles 3.

Fruits: Achenes 3-sided, up to 3.2 mm long.


f - achene


Anomalae

24

Carex shortiana

Short's sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This sedge has the male flowers below the

female flowers. The perigynia quickly turn brown and

are tightly packed together vertically.

Habitat: Wet prairies, swamps, roadside ditches, around

ponds and lakes.


Stems: Erect, rough to the touch but not hairy, up to 90

cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, overtopping the flowering

stem, rough along the edges, up to 8.5 mm broad.


borne below the female; both in narrow, cylindrical

spikes up to 3.8 cm long.

Scales: Broadly lanceolate, tapering to the tip and with a

short awn, longer than the perigynia.


perigynium; each perigynium obovate, flattened,

minutely beaked, quickly turning brown; all the

perigynia in a spike tightly packed together vertically.



f - achene

g - staminate scale


Shortianae

25

Carex stricta

Tussock sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: The spikes of this sedge are stiffly erect. The plants

grow in very dense clumps with the flowering stems longer than

the leaves. The lowest sheaths on the stem become shredded

into fibers.

Habitat: Low woods, swamps.

Habit: Densely clumped perennial herb from relatively few horizontal stolons.

Stems: Upright, numerous, slender but stiff, triangular, up to 1.2 meters (4

feet) tall, rough at least above, the lowest sheaths becoming shredded into

fibers.

Leaves: Elongated, flat or somewhat folded, rough along the edges, up to 6.4

mm wide, shorter than the flowering stems.

Flowers: Borne in spikes, with one male spike separate from the 1-4 female

spikes; male spike cylindrical, up to 4 inches long, short-stalked, sometimes

with 1-2 small, sessile, male spikes near base; female spikes cylindrical, up

to 12 cm long, upright, sometimes with a few male flowers at the tip; female

scales oblong to lanceolate, rounded or pointed at the tip, reddish brown with a

pale midnerve, shorter to slightly longer than the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Borne in perigynia, the perigynia

biconvex, ovate to elliptic, appressed, up to 3.2 mm long, few-nerved, with a

minute beak; styles 2.

Fruits: Achenes lenticular.



f - achene


Acutae

26

Carex torta

Twisted sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 8 Flowering: April-June.

Field Marks: The field marks of this sedge are the separate

slender male and female spikes, the purple-margined female

scales, and the nerveless, twisted beak perigynia.

Habitat: In flowing streams with rocky streambeds.

Habit: Perennial herb from thickened rhizomes, forming

dense clumps.

Stems: Upright, branched or unbranched, slender, sharply

triangular, smooth except near the top, up to 90 cm (3 feet)

tall, red-purple at the base.

Leaves: Elongated, deep green, flat, soft, up to 5 mm across.

Flowers: Male and female borne in separate spikes, the male

spike usually solitary, slender, to 5 cm, the female spikes 2-

6, crowded to remote, up to 10 cm, up to 8.5 mm thick, the

lowermost sometimes on drooping stalks.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Borne in a

perigynium, the perigynium narrowly ovoid, up to 4.5 mm

long, usually twisted in the upper half, smooth, tapering to a

short, minute twisted beak, nerveless; each perigynium

subtended by a round-tipped scale purple-black on the sides

and green in the center; stigmas 2.

Fruits: Achenes lenticular, about 2.0 mm long.

Acutae


f - achene




27

Carex crinita var. crinita

Fringed sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This distinctive sedge has long, drooping, narrow

spikes with slender, projecting scales subtending each perigynium.

Habitat: Wet meadows, wet prairies, swamps, sloughs.

Habit: Perennial herb with thickened rootstocks, growing in dense

clumps.

Stems: Erect, triangular, rough to the touch or smooth, up to

1.2 meters(4 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, rough to the touch along the

margins, up to 1.3 cm broad.

Flowers: Male and female flowers borne separately; the male usually in

slender, erect spikes up to 6.4 cm long; the female in drooping spikes up

to 10 cm long, with projecting scales subtending each perigynium.

Scales: Narrow, tapering to a slender, toothed awn 2 or more times longer

than the perigynium.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in a perigynium; the

perigynium ellipsoid to ovoid to nearly spherical, up to 4.2 mm long, with

a minute, toothless beak.

Fruits: Achenes obovoid, granular, up to 3.2 mm long. Variety

brevicrinis has non-crimped achenes, shorter awns on the scales, and is a

state threatened species.


f - achene




Cryptocarpae

28

Carex comosa

Longhair sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 2 Flowering: July-August.

Field Marks: This Carex is recognized by the male and female

flowers in separate spikes, the perigynia less than 1.3 cm long

and with a prominent beak with 2 teeth, and the lowermost

perigynia in a spike pointing downward.

Habitat: Swamps, around lakes.

Habit: Perennial herb with slender rhizomes.

Stems: Erect, smooth, up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Long, narrow, rough along the edges, up to 8.5 mm

broad.

Flowers: Many in spikelets, each flower subtended by a scale;

the male flowers in separate spikes from the female flowers, only

1 male spike per stem, long and slender; the female spikes

usually 2-6 per stem, up to 7.5 cm long, up to 8.5 mm across, on

slender stalks that droop at maturity.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: One per scale, the

scales with a slender, toothed awn, each perigynium lanceoloid,

smooth, up to 6.4 mm long, with a slender beak with 2 teeth at

the tip, the lowermost perigynia usually pointing downward;

stigmas 3.



f - achene




Pseudo-

Cyperaceae

29

Carex hystericina

Porcupine sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 5 Flowering: July-August.

Field Marks: This Carex is recognized by the male and female

flowers in separate spikes, the perigynia less than 1 cm long and

with a prominent beak with 2 very short straight teeth; this

characteristic distinguishes it from Carex comosa, which has beaks

with spreading teeth. It differs from Carex lurida in its narrower

lance-ovoid perigynia. Carex hystericina also has many more

nerves (usually) than Carex lurida.

Habitat: Swamps, calcareous fens, ditches.

Habit: Perennial herb with slender rhizomes.

Stems: Erect, smooth, up to 1 meter (3.5feet) tall.

Leaves: Long, narrow, rough along the edges, up to 8.5 mm broad.

Flowers: Many in spikelets, each flower subtended by a scale; the

male flowers in separate spikes from the female flowers, only 1

male spike per stem, long and slender; the female spikes usually 1-

4 per stem, up to 3 inches long, up to 8.5 mm across, on slender

peduncles.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: One per scale, the scales

with a slender, toothed awn, each perigynium lanceoloid, smooth,

up to 6.4 mm long, with a slender beak with 2 teeth at the tip;

stigmas 3.



f - achene



view


view

Pseudo-

Cyperaceae

30

Carex atherodes

Wheat sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: The distinguishing features of this species are the

separate male and female spikes, the sharply 2-toothed beak of the

perigynium, and the hairy leaves. This species differs from Carex

trichocarpa by its smooth perigynia.

Habitat: Swamps, wet meadows.


Stems: Erect, smooth or sometimes rough to the touch, sharply

triangular, up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, rough to the touch, usually hairy at least on the

lower surface, up to 1.3 cm broad.

Flowers: Male and female flowers borne in separate spikes; the

male spikes 2-6 in number, usually on long stalks; the female

spikes 3-5, cylindrical, on very short stalks or on no stalks at all,

up to 10 cm long.

Scales: Broadly lanceolate, awn-tipped, shorter than the perigynia.


perigynium; each perigynium broadly lanceoloid, smooth, many-

nerved, gradually tapering to a slender, 2-toothed beak, up to 4.2

mm long.



f - achene




Paludosae

POTENTIALLY

THREATENED SPECIES

31

Carex hyalinolepis

Shoreline sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This Carex differs from all others by its bluish color, the

presence of 2-6 slender male spikes, and its 2-4 female spikes up to 10 cm

long and up to 2.5 cm thick. This species differs from Carex lacustris by its

U-shaped or flat ligule Fig. W1

Habitat: Swampy woods, wet roadside ditches, wet meadows, wet prairies,

in sloughs.

Habit: Stout, tufted perennial with extensive creeping rhizomes.

Stems: Erect, up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall, smooth.

Leaves: Long, narrow, blue-green, up to 1.3 cm broad, sometimes with

cross-veins.

Flowers: One per spikelet, with many spikelets in a spike and both male

and female spikes present. Male spikes 2-6, very slender, terminal, up to

6.4 cm long, Female spikes 2-4, erect or drooping, up to 10 cm long and

up to 2.5 cm thick.

Scales: One per flower, brown to purple-brown, shiny, slightly shorter

or slightly longer than the perigynium, pointed at the tip.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Styles: 3. Pistils: Enclosed by a sac-

like perigynium; perigynium ovoid, 6.4-8.5 mm long, with conspicuous

veins and a slender terminal beak with 2 short teeth, smooth.

Fruits: Achenes enclosed by the perigynium, obovoid, 2.5 mm long. Ligule


f - achene




Paludosae

32

Carex lacustris

Hairy sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This coarse sedge is distinguished by its 2-4 separate

male spikes and 2-4 separate, short-stalked female spikes, and its

many-nerved, beaked perigynia up to 8.5 mm long. This species

differs from Carex hyalinolepis by its V-shaped ligule Fig. W1

Habitat: Swamps, shallow standing water.

Habit: Coarse perennial herb from creeping rhizomes.

Stems: Upright, stout, triangular, rough to the touch or sometimes

smooth except near the tip, up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall, usually

purplish or reddish at base.

Leaves: Elongated, glaucous, rough to the touch, up to 2 cm wide,

longer than the stems.

Flowers: Borne in spikes, with 2-4 separate male spikes and 2-4

separate female spikes, sometimes with a few male flowers toward

the top; male spikes slender, brownish, up to 7.5 cm long; female

spikes oblong-cylindrical, up to 10 cm long, up to 2 cm wide, all

but the lowest upright; female scales lanceolate, rounded or awned

at the tip, as long as or shorter than the perigynia.


perigynia lance-ovoid, smooth, many-nerved, up to 8.5 mm long,

tapering to an outwardly curved, 2-toothed beak; styles 3.



f - achene




Paludosae

33

Carex trichocarpa

Hairyfruit sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This sedge is readily identified by its separate

male and female spikes, its cylindric female spikes, and its hairy

perigynia with two long, terminal teeth. This species differs from

Carex atherodes by its hairy perigynia.

Habitat: Marshes, wet meadows.

Habit: Tufted perennial herb from creeping rhizomes.

Stems: Upright, slender, up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall, usually

rough in the upper portion.

Leaves: Elongated, rough along the edges, up to 8.5 mm wide, at

least some of them overtopping the flowering stems.

Flowers: Borne in spikes, the male spikes 2-6, the female spikes

2-4; male spikes slender, short-stalked; female spikes cylindrical,

up to 10 cm long, up to 1.7 cm in diameter, the uppermost short-

stalked and upright, the lower sessile; female scales lanceolate to

ovate, pointed at the tip, shorter than the perigynia.


perigynia ovoid, hairy, strongly nerved, up to 1.3 cm long,

tapering to a long, 2-toothed beak; styles 3.



f - achene




Male spikes

Paludosae

34

Carex frankii

Frank’s sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 2 Flowering: May-September.

Field Marks: This sedge has its cylindrical spikes nestled down

among leafy bracts that are 2-4 times longer than the spikes. The

male flowers are borne in a separate spike.

Habitat: Swamps, floodplain woods, wet meadows, wet prairies,

along rivers and streams, roadside ditches, around ponds and lakes.

Habit: Perennial herb with rhizomes.

Stems: Erect, smooth, up to 60 cm (2 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, rough to the touch, up to 8.5 mm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male flowers in a

narrow, cylindrical spike up to 3.2 cm long; the female flowers in 3-

6 dense, cylindrical spikes up to 3.8 cm long, much surpassed by

leafy bracts.

Scales: Very narrow, minutely toothed, awn-like, longer than the

perigynia.


each perigynium reversely cone-shaped, tapering to the base,

conspicuously nerved, depressed at the summit where the

conspicuous 2-toothed beak arises; the entire perigynium up to 6.4

mm long.

Fruits: Achenes obovoid, about 2.5 mm long.


f - achene




Squarrosae

35

Carex squarrosa

Squarrose sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 4 Flowering: April-September.

Field Marks: This species has male flowers below the

female flowers. The female spikes are ovoid, with some of

the lower perigynia pointing downward; this sedge usually

has a single spike.

Habitat: Wet prairies, swamps, wet woods, wet meadows.


Stems: Erect, triangular, rough to the touch, up to 90 cm

(3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, usually a little longer than the

stems, up to 6.4 mm broad.


borne below the female; the spikes 1-3, oblongoid to

nearly spherical, up to 3.8 cm long, up to 2 cm broad; the

lowermost perigynia pointing downward.

Scales: Lanceolate, tapering to a point or a short awn,



perigynium; each perigynium obovoid, somewhat inflated,

up to 8.5 mm long, tapering to a finely toothed beak.

Fruits: Achenes smooth, ellipsoid, about 3.2 mm long.


f - achene




Squarrosae

36

Carex typhina

Cattail sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes


Coefficient of Conservatism: 5

Flowering: April-September.

Field Marks: This species is recognized by its thick,

cylindrical female heads with the male flowers below.

This species differs from Carex squarrosa by its beaks of

the perigynia point outward or upward, not downward.

Carex typhina usually has more than one spike per culm

Habitat: Wet woods, swamps, wet prairies.

Habit: Tufted perennial herb with thickened rootstocks.

Stems: Erect, slender, rough to the touch, up to 60 cm (2

feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, longer than the stem, up to 6.4

mm broad.


flowers at the base of some of the female spikes; the

female spikes 1-6 per stem, cylindric, up to 5 cm long, up

to 2.5 cm broad.

Scales: Oblong to lanceolate, rounded or pointed at the tip.


perigynium; each perigynium obovoid, inflated at the base,

abruptly tapering to a 2-toothed beak, up to 8.5 mm long.

Fruits: Achenes triangular, obovoid, up to 2.5 mm long.


f - achene


Squarrosae

37

Carex lurida

Shallow sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species has slender male spikes and short,

thick female spikes. The perigynia are inflated at the base and

taper abruptly to a slender, 2-toothed beak. The perigynia also

have fewer nerves than Carex hystericina.

Habitat: Around lakes and ponds, along streams,

wet meadows, wet prairies.


Stems: Erect, usually smooth, up to 75 cm (2.5 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, rough to the touch, up to 1.3 cm

broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne separately; the male in a single,

slender spike up to 7.5 cm long; the female in 1-4 oblong-

cylindric spikes up to 5 cm long and up to 2.5 cm thick.

Scales: Broadly lanceolate, tapering to a slender awn;

the scale shorter than the perigynium.


perigynium; each perigynium ovoid, inflated, strongly ribbed, up

to 1.3 cm long, tapering to a beak about as long as the body.

Fruits: Achenes slightly granular, triangular, obovoid, up to 3.2

mm long.


f - achene




Vesicariae

38

Carex grayi

Gray’s sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: The large, spherical female spikes that resemble a mace

from the knights of old easily distinguish this sedge; the perigynia radiate

in all directions. Similar species Carex intumescens differs from Carex

grayi by its perigynia that do not radiate downwards.

Habitat: Wet woods, swamps, floodplain woods.


Stems: Erect, smooth, 3-angled, up to 90 cm (3 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, often longer than the flowering stem, dark

green, smooth, up to 1.3 cm broad.

Flowers: Male and female flowers borne in separate spikes; the male

flowers in a single narrow spike up to 5 cm long; the female flowers

crowded into 1-2 dense, spherical heads resembling a mace from the

knights of old, up to 3.2 cm in diameter, containing 6-30 perigynia.

Scales: Ovate, rounded but usually with a short mucro at the tip, pale along

the edges, about 1/3 as long as the perigynia.

Sepals: 0. Petals: 0. Stamens: 3. Pistils: Enclosed in a perigynium; the

perigynium ovoid, smooth or short-hairy, up to 2 cm long, ribbed,

abruptly contracted into a long beak 2-toothed at the tip.

Fruits: Achenes triangular, smooth. Notes: Although most specimens are

completely smooth, others may have slightly hairy leaves and perigynia.


f - achene




Lupulinae

39

Carex intumescens

Greater bladder sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: This species differs by its solitary male spike and

its 1-3 nearly round female spikes, each with 2-12 inflated

perigynia 1.3-2.5 cm long and widest below the middle, tapering

to a beak. Perigynia radiate in all directions except downward.

Habitat: Moist woods, meadows, swampy woods, bogs.

Habit: Tufted perennial herb from a thickened rootstock.

Stems: Upright, rather slender, triangular, up to 90 cm (3 feet)

tall, smooth.

Leaves: Elongated, dark green, up to 8.5 mm wide, usually

somewhat rough along the edges.

Flowers: Borne in spikes, with usually 1 male spike and 1-3

female spikes; male spike slender, long-stalked and extending

above the female spikes; female spikes round, up to 3.8 cm

across, with 2-12 perigynia; female scales lanceolate, awn-tipped

or sometimes merely rounded at the tip, about 1/2 as long as the

perigynia.


perigynia inflated, ovoid, smooth, shiny, many-nerved, 1.3-2.5

cm long, tapering to a 2-toothed beak; styles 3.

Fruits: Achenes triangular, up to 6.4 mm long, with flat or

concave sides.


f - achene




Lupulinae

40

Carex lupulina

Hop sedge Group: Monocot

Family: Cyperaceae

Duration: Perennial


Native to Ohio: Yes



Field Marks: The large, cylindrical female spikes up to

6.4 cm long readily distinguish this species. A very

similar looking species, Carex lupuliformis, is a state

potentially threatened species and has achenes with

sharply (almost prickly) pointed edges.

Habitat: Wet woods, wet prairies, roadside ditches.

Habit: Perennial herb with a short rhizome.

Stems: Erect, smooth, up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall.

Leaves: Elongated, narrow, longer than the stems, up to

1.7 cm broad.

Flowers: Male and female borne in separate spikes; the

male spike single, slender, up to 7.5 cm long; female

spikes 2-5 per stem, cylindrical, up to 6.4 cm long.

Scales: Lanceolate, pointed or short-awned at tip,



perigynium; each perigynium ovoid, inflated at the base,

abruptly tapering to a narrow beak sharply 2-toothed at

the tip, smooth, up to 2 cm long.

Fruits: Achenes triangular, smooth, up to 4.2 mm long.


f - achene


Lupulinae

Carex Identifying Characteristics

Staminate spike

Pistillate spike Perigynia

Leaf Blade

Inflorescence

Achene

Ligule

Scale

Beak

Carex Glossary

Achene: A type of dry fruit with the seed

coat not attached to the mature ovary wall.

Awn: A bristle terminating a structure

Beak: The narrow terminal tip of some

perigynia.

Bidentate: With two teeth.

Bract: An accessory structure at the base of

a flower; sometimes appearing leaflike, or

other times britslelike or scalelike.

Concave: Curved on the inner surface.

Convex: Curved on the outer surface

Culm: The stem that terminates in an

inflorescence.

Dorsal: The outer face of a structure.

Ellipsoid: Referring to a solid object that is

broadest at the middle, gradually tapering to

both ends; narrower than oblong.

Glabrous: Without pubescence or hairs.

Glaucous: With a whitish covering that can

be wiped off.

Gynecandrous: A spike with pistillate

flowers at the tip and staminate flowers

below.

Hyaline: Transparent

Inflorescence: A cluster of spikes or

flowers.

Lanceolate: lance-shaped; broadest near the

base; gradually tapering to the apex;

narrower than ovate.

Ligule: The structure at the summit of

ventral side of the sheath where it merges

into the blade.

Oblong: Broadest at the middle.

Obovoid: Referring to an object that is

broadly rounded at the apex, becoming

narrowed below.

Peduncle: The stalk of an inflorescence or

of a spike.

Perigynium: A saclike structure enclosing

the achene in Carex.

Pistillate: Bearing pisitils but not stamens.

Pubescent: Bearing some kind of hairs.

Scabrous: Rough to the touch.

Scale: A modified leaf that subtends each

staminate and pistillate flower.

Sheath: A tubular part of the leaf that

surrounds the culm.

Spike: The basic unit of inflorescence in

Carex.

Staminate: Bearing stamens but not pistils.

Ventral: The inner face of a structure.

Mohlenbrock, Robert H., and Paul Nelson. Sedges. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 1999. Print.

Main Website & Book References:

1) USDA PLANTS DATABASE: http://plants.usda.gov/

2) Illinois Wildflowers Information Page: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/

3) USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC) Online Biological Resource: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/taxa_p.htm

4) Missouri Plants Page: http://www.missouriplants.com

5) Texas A&M University Cyber Sedge Bioinformatics Working Group: http://botany.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/carex/carexout.htm

6) University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium:

http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/SearchResults.asp?Genus=Carex

7) Mohlenbrock, Robert H., and Paul Nelson. Sedges. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP,

1999. Print.

8) Braun, Emma Lucy, and Clara G. Weishaupt. The Monocotyledoneae. [Columbus,

Ohio]: Ohio State Univ., 1967. Print.

Acknowledgements: Wetland Ecology Group

Brian Gara

Mick Miccachion

Paul Anderson

Kari Metcalf

http://plants.usda.gov/

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/

Index by Scientific Name

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME FAMILY SECTION CofC WET SHADE PAGE

Carex amphibola E. NARROW-LEAVED SEDGE Cyperaceae OLIGOCARPAE 5 FAC shade 19

Carex annectens YELLOW FRUIT SEDGE Cyperaceae MULTIFLORAE 3 FACW full 3

Carex atherodes WHEAT SEDGE Cyperaceae PALUDOSAE 7 OBL full 30

Carex bebbii BEBB'S SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 7 OBL full 8

Carex blanda COMMON WOOD SEDGE Cyperaceae LAXIFLORAE 1 FAC shade 17

Carex bromoides BROME SEDGE Cyperaceae DEWEYANAE 7 FACW shade 7

Carex cephalophora OVAL HEADED SEDGE Cyperaceae BRACTEOSAE 5 FACU shade 1

Carex comosa BEARDED SEDGE Cyperaceae PSEUDO-CYPERACEAE 2 OBL full 28

Carex crinita var. crinita TASSELED SEDGE Cyperaceae CRYPTOCARPAE 3 OBL shade 27

Carex cristatella CRESTED SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 3 FACW full 9

Carex davisii DAVIS' SEDGE Cyperaceae GRACILLIMAE 5 FAC- shade 20

Carex festucacea FESCUE SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 7 FAC partial 10

Carex frankii FRANK'S SEDGE Cyperaceae SQUARROSAE 2 OBL full 34

Carex gracillima GRACEFUL SEDGE Cyperaceae GRACILLIMAE 4 FACU shade 21

Carex granularis MEADOW SEDGE Cyperaceae GRANULARES 3 FACW+ full 18

Carex grayi GRAY'S SEDGE Cyperaceae LUPULINAE 5 FACW+ shade 38

Carex hyalinolepis SWEET MARSH SEDGE Cyperaceae PALUDOSAE 5 OBL partial 31

Carex hystericina PORCUPINE SEDGE Cyperaceae PSEUDO-CYPERACEAE 5 OBL full 29

Carex intumescens GREATER BLADDER SEDGE Cyperaceae LUPULINAE 5 FACW+ shade 39

Carex lacustris LAKE SEDGE Cyperaceae PALUDOSAE 5 OBL partial 32

Carex laevivaginata SMOOTHSHEATH SEDGE Cyperaceae VULPINAE 6 OBL shade 5

Carex lupulina HOP SEDGE Cyperaceae LUPULINAE 3 OBL full 40

Carex lurida BOTTLEBRUSH SEDGE Cyperaceae VESICARIAE 3 OBL full 37

Carex molesta TROUBLESOME SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 3 [FACU] full 11

Carex muskingumensis MUSKINGUM SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 7 OBL shade 12

Carex normalis GREATER STRAW SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 4 FACU shade 13

Carex prasina DROOPING SEDGE Cyperaceae GRACILLIMAE 8 OBL shade 22

Carex scabrata ROUGH SEDGE Cyperaceae ANOMALAE 6 OBL partial 23

Carex scoparia POINTED BROOM SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 3 FACW full 14

Carex shortiana SHORT'S SEDGE Cyperaceae SHORTIANAE 2 FAC full 24

Carex sparganioides BUR REED SEDGE Cyperaceae BRACTEOSAE 3 FACU shade 2

Carex squarrosa SQUARROSE SEDGE Cyperaceae SQUARROSAE 4 FACW shade 35

Carex stipata CROWDED SEDGE Cyperaceae VULPINAE 2 OBL partial 6

Carex stricta TUSSOCK SEDGE Cyperaceae ACUTAE 5 OBL full 25

Carex tenera SLENDER SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 8 [FAC] shade 15

Carex torta TWISTED SEDGE Cyperaceae ACUTAE 8 FACW full 26

Carex tribuloides BLUNT BROOM SEDGE Cyperaceae OVALES 4 FACW+ partial 16

Carex trichocarpa HAIRY FRUITED SEDGE Cyperaceae PALUDOSAE 8 OBL full 33

Carex typhina CATTAIL SEDGE Cyperaceae SQUARROSAE 5 FACW+ shade 36

Carex vulpinoidea FOX SEDGE Cyperaceae MULTIFLORAE 1 OBL full 4

Carex field guide

Science

Transcript of Carex field guide