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Carex magellanica Lam. ssp. irrigua (Wahlenb.) Hulten.

Poor Sedge

Cyperaceae (Sedge family)

Synonym: Carex paupercula Michx.

General Description: Stems loosely clustered with flowering culms 15-40 cm tall, arising from short or long rhizomes. The roots have a yellowish-brown fuzzy covering. The stems are conspicuously covered at the base with the previous year's dried leaves. Leaves are on the lower half of the stem, mostly flat, and 2-4 mm wide. A solitary, narrow terminal spike 7-15 mm long, bears only staminate flowers. The usually 2-3 lateral spikes are mostly pistillate, although some staminate flowers often occur at the base. The lateral spikes are 4-22 mm long and 4-8 mm wide, not crowded, and nodding on slender stalks. The lowest spike is subtended by a leafy bract, 2-10 cm long that is often slightly longer than the terminal spike. Scales subtending the perigynia are light or dark brown, and often with a greenish midvein. The commonly greenish perigynia have 3 stigmas, and an oval outline, and are 2-3 mm long.

Illustration.

Field Identification Tips: The small, nodding lateral spikes, and roots with a yellowish-brown felt distinguishes this species from other peatland sedges.

Phenology: Fruit matures in July-August.

Similar Species: Carex magellanica irrigua is similar to and occurs with the more common C. limosa in northern Idaho. Carex limosa differs in having its lowest leaves reduced to scales, leaves which tend to be channeled, and lateral spikes sometimes with staminate flowers at the tip, but never at the base.

Photo © Robert Moseley
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Habitat: Bogs, fens, and wet meadows in the montane zone.

Global Distribution: Circumboreal, extending south in western North America to Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah.

Idaho Distribution: Boundary and Bonner counties.

References:

Bursik, R. J. 1992. Field investigations of sensitive plant taxa occurring on the Priest Lake Ranger District, Kanisku National Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Unpublished report prepared for the Panhandle National Forests by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise. 141 pp. plus appendices.

Caicco, S. L. 1988. Studies in the genus Carex on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Unpublished report prepared for the Panhandle National Forests by the Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. 26 pp. plus appendices.

Hurd, E. G., N. L. Shaw, J. Mastrogiuseppe, L. C. Smithman, and S. Goodrich. 1998. Field guide to intermountain sedges. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-10, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 282 pp.

Montana Natural Heritage Program. Montana rare plant field guide. Available at: http://nhp.nris.state.mt.us.

Moseley, R. K. 1989. Field investigations of 16 rare plant taxa occurring in wetlands on the Bonners Ferry Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for the Panhandle National Forests by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise. 75 pp. plus appendices.