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Broad Looseflower Sedge (Carex amphibola)

Description

Carex laxiflora, Culms densely tufted, ascending, lax or, occasionally, decumbent, 12-44 cm - 0.7-1.2 mm. Leaves: basal sheaths brown; sheaths 3-24 mm, serrulate; blades ascending, midrib well developed abaxially, lateral veins developed, flat, 10-32 cm - 3-10 mm, blades of overwintering leaves smooth. Inflorescences: peduncles of proximal spike 0-8 cm, distal lateral spike not exserted; of terminal spike to 0.2 cm. Bracts 10-30 - 2-7 mm, 2d pistillate bract frequently overtops terminal and distal lateral spike, blade of distal lateral spike linear, narrower than spikes, widest bract blade of distalmost lateral spike 0.5-3.4 mm wide. Spikes 4(-5) per culm; lateral spikes 9-22 - 2.8-4 mm; terminal spike linear, 7-16 - 1.2-2 mm, arising from same bract as distal lateral spike, usually surpassed by distal bract. Pistillate scales 2-2.5 - 1-1.8 mm, apex acute or apiculate. Staminate scales ovate, 2.2-2.6 - 0.8-1 mm, margins hyaline or slightly brown tinged, apex acute. Anthers 1.6-2 mm. Perigynia 5-14 per spike, overlapping or slightly scattered on proximal spike, ascending or spreading, 8-18-veined, 2-3 veins conspicuous, others obscure, elliptic-obovate, 2.2-3.2 - 1-1.5 mm, membranous; beak abruptly to slightly curved, 0.3-1.1 mm. Achenes obovoid, 1.8-2.8 - 0.8-1.2 mm. 2n = 36.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum: Magnoliophyta

        • Class: Liliopsida

          • Order: Poales

            • Family: Cyperaceae

              • Genus: Carex