Carex inops

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Subkingdom (unranked): Tracheobionta

Superdivision (unranked): Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Subclass (unranked): Commelinidae

Order: Cyperales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: Carex L.

Species: C. inops L.H. Bailey

Description

Long-stolon sedge is a loosely caespitose, perennial graminoid. It is low to medium statured compared to other Carex. Culms are 4 to 20 inches (10-50 cm) long. Leaves are slender, stiff, and wiry. Old, dead leaves are persistent, often forming fibrous tufts at the stem base. Inflorescences are terminal staminate and pistillate spikes. Male spikes may be pediceled above female spikes. The fruit is a hairy achene ranging from 1.6 to 2.5 mm long. Seedheads bear 5 to 15 fruits each.

Seed

Abbraviation: CAIN

Seed sample from: 2010

Average measurement: 3.6 x1.6 x 1.3

Measurement Range: L: 2.5 – 4.5, W: 1.2 – 2, D: 1 – 1.9

Features

Shape: Seeds narrow at hilum and opposite apex, rounded in middle. Opposite apex usually sharply pointed. Seed sometimes has bits of husk still attached. Hilum circular.

Color: Tan with some darker brown or black spotting. Hilum usually brown.

Surface: Some concave patches, entire seed covered in fine hair, and matte.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical

Longitudinal Cross Section: elliptical