Friday, August 13, 2010

Shrub Carr Ecosystem-Longhair Sedge


Longhair Sedge

Order: Cyperales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: Carex

Species: C. comosa

General Chracteristics: This Carex is recognized by the male and female flowers in separate spikes, the perigynia less than 1/2 inch long and with a prominent beak with 2 teeth, and the lowermost perigynia in a spike pointing downward.

It is found in swamps and around lakes. Its stems are erect, smooth, and up to 5 feet tall. The leaves are long, narrow, rough along the edges, and up to 1/3 inch broad.

The flowers are 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 3 inches long, up to 1/3 inch across, on slender stalks that droop at maturity.

Special Adaptations: The fruits are eaten by waterfowl.

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